Question

The single proton that forms the nucleus of the hydrogen atom has a radius of approximately 1.0×10−13cm. The hydrogen atom itself has a radius of approximately 52.9 pm

What fraction of the space within the atom is occupied by the nucleus?

Answer 1

The space occupied by atom and nucleus would be depend on the ratio of volume of each nucleus and atom.

We known that,

`Volume of sphere = (4)/(3)*\pi r^(3)`

Given,

`Radius of nucleus(r_(n)) = 10^(-13) cm`

`Radius of atom(r_(a)) = 52.9 pm = 52.9*10^(-10) cm`

Thus,

`Fraction of the space = ((10^(-13))^3 )/((52.9*10^(-10))^3 ) = 6.8*10^(-15)`