Calculating Electron Speed After Release from Rest

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of an electron after being released from rest at a height \( h_0 \) and reaching a top plate, utilizing the conservation of energy principle. The subject area includes concepts from electromagnetism and energy conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to equate initial and final energy expressions to solve for the electron's speed \( v \). Some participants question the handling of signs in the equations and suggest isolating \( v^2 \) before taking the square root. There is also a request for confirmation on the correctness of the derived expression for \( v \).

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the algebra involved in isolating \( v \) and checking the correctness of the approach. Some participants have provided guidance on the algebraic manipulation, while others have expressed a desire for further assistance. The original poster indicates they have resolved their issue, but the overall discussion remains open for additional insights.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions constraints related to an online assignment that allows only one submission, adding pressure to ensure correctness in their final answer.

evilempire
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The electron, having been held at height h0, is now released from rest. Calculate its speed v when it reaches the top plate.

I found the initial energy to be:

-q_e*E*h_0

and the final energy to be:

1/2*m*v^2+-q_e*E*h_1


And I need to solve for v, so I set the two equal to each other as per the conservation of energy thereom and solve for v, correct?

-q_e*E*h_0 = 1/2*m*v^2+-q_e*E*h_1

My problem is isolating v and cancelling/clearing up variables. My algebra is lagging a bit, admittedly. Thanks for any help.
 
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Pay attention with the signs...The skeleton of your equation is
[tex]A=B+v^{2}C[/tex]

Isolate v^{2} and then take root of second order...

Daniel.
 
dextercioby said:
Pay attention with the signs...The skeleton of your equation is
[tex]A=B+v^{2}C[/tex]

Isolate v^{2} and then take root of second order...

Daniel.

Thanks. I only get one shot at an answer (it's an online-based assignment), so I would appreciate any response saying if this is correct or not, and what I did wrong if it is incorrect:

[tex]sqrt((2(h_0-h_1))/(m))=v[/tex]
 
Can anyone else help me out please?

EDIT: Nevermind, I got it.
 
Last edited:
Excellent,that was the idea,to get it,without too much help... :smile: Anyways,i was asleep... :-p

Daniel.

P.S.I didn't dream of your exercise... :-p
 

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