Quark Model of the Neutron According to the quark model of fundamental particles

Question

Quark Model of the Neutron According to the quark model of fundamental particles, neutrons-the neutral particles in an atom's nucleus-are composed of three quarks. Two of these quarks are "down" quarks, each with a charge of e/3; the third quark is an "up" quark, with a charge of +2e/3. This gives the neutron a net charge of zero. What is the electric potential energy of these three quarks, assuming they are equidistant from one another, with a separation distance of 1.3×1015m? (Quarks are discussed in Chapter 32 of the textbook.)

Explanation / Answer

given

q = 2 e / 3

= 2 X ( 1.6 X 10-16 )2 / 3

= 1.7066 X 10-38

r = 1.3 X 1015 m

using U = k q2 / r

U = 9 X 109 X 1.7066 X 10-38 / 1.3 X 10-15  

U = 1.1814 X 10-13 J

then

U = 1.1814 X 10-13 / 1.6 X 10-19

U = 738375 eV

U = 0.738375 MeV

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