An electron and a proton are circulating with same speed in circular paths of equal radius. Which one among the following will happen, if the mass of a proton is about 2,000 times that of an electron ?

The centripetal force (F) required for an object to move in a circular path is given by the formula F = mv"/r, where 'm' is mass, 'v' is speed, and 'r' is the radius. In this scenario, both the electron and the proton are circulating with the same speed (v) and in circular paths of equal radius (r). Consequently, the centripetal force is directly proportional to the mass of the particle (F ∑ m). Since the mass of a proton is approximately 2,000 times greater than the mass of an electron, the centripetal force required to keep the proton in its circular orbit must be about 2,000 times greater than that required for the electron. This relationship holds true regardless of the source of the force, such as magnetic or electric fields, which provide the necessary acceleration for charged particles in circular motion.