At the surface of a pulsar, or neutron star, the magnetic field may be as strong

Question

At the surface of a pulsar, or neutron star, the magnetic field may be as strong as 9.75 x 10^7 T. Consider the electron in a hydrogen atom on the surface of such a neutron star. The electron is at a distance of 5.3 X 10-11 m from the proton and has a speed of 2.20 X 106 m/s. Compare the electric force that the proton exerts on the electron with the magnetic force that the magnetic field of the neutron star exerts on the electron. Is it reasonable to expect that the hydrogen atom will be strongly deformed by the magnetic field?

Explanation / Answer

Force due to proton=mv2/r=8.32*10-8N

Force due to magnetic field=qvB=3.43*10-5N

Since the magnetic force is very strong compared to the electric force, it is reasonable to expect that the hydrogen atom will be strongly deformed by the magnetic field.

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