The deuteron is bound by nuclear forces just as the H-atom is made up of p and e bound by electrostatic forces. If we consider the force between neutron and proton in a deuteron as given in the form of a Coulomb potential but with an effective charge . Estimate the value of (e’/e) given that the binding energy of a deuteron is 2.2 MeV.
H atom has a binding energy of = E = 13.6 eV
The value of m’, when it is reduced = 918 m
mp = the mass of a neutron or a proton
The deuteron has a binding energy of 2.2 MeV
Therefore, the e’/e = 3.64