How do I solve this?

Question

An electron and a proton are separated by 1.50 × 10^-10 m. If they are released, which one will accelerate at a greater rate, and what is the magnitude of that initial acceleration?

Answer 1

Electrostatic force magnitude |F| = k |q₁ q₂| /r² = (8.99 x 10⁹) (1.60 x 10^-19 C)² / (1.50 x 10^-10 m)² = 1.02 x 10^-8 N = ma. Electron acceleration = F / (9.11 x 10^-31 kg) = 1.12 x 10²² m/s².

Proton acceleration = F / (1.67 x 10^-27 kg) = 5.99 x 10¹⁸ m/s². So the light-weight electron accelerates MUCH faster.