Proton or Electron: Who's Faster?

In summary, in a scenario where an electron and proton are initially at rest and allowed to accelerate towards each other, the electron will be moving much faster than the proton just before the collision. This is due to the fact that the electron is much lighter than the proton, with a mass of only 1/1840 compared to the proton's mass of 1. Additionally, the forces on each particle are the same, but the electron undergoes much more acceleration due to its lower mass. This can be mathematically represented by the equation a = F/m, where a is acceleration, F is force, and m is mass.
  • #1
Cyto
18
0
Hey there guys... I got a question for are you whiz's... Let's say you place an electron and proton a certain distance from each other and allow them to accelerate towards each other. Just before the collision, which is moving faster?
 
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  • #2
In the original reference frame (both initially at rest), the center of mass (of the two particles) is very close to the proton, since it is almost 2000 times as massive. Once they start moving, the center of mass doesn't move. As a result the elctron is moving much faster than the proton when they collide. The velocities are in the inverse ratio of the masses - conservation of momentum.
 
  • #3
relative masses:
mass of a proton = 1
mass of an electron = 1/1840


relative charges:
proton= +1
electron= -1


clearly the electron is far much lighter than the proton,so it will be moving faster.
 
  • #4
Thanks for the number. Therefore conservation of momentum makes the electron speed 1840 times the proton speed.
 
  • #5
On a simpler level, consider that the forces on each particle is the same, as they have the same charge. But the electron has less mass, so by:

F = ma
a = F/m: the electron undergoes much more acceleration.

Damn... still can't get hang of latex...
 
  • #6
[tex]a = \frac{F}{m}[/tex]

Click my image, or quote my post, to see how it's done.

Or, if you want to be a purist, you can make your vectors bold.

[tex]\renewcommand{\vec}[1]{\mbox{\boldmath $ #1 $}}

\vec{a} = \frac{\vec{F}}{m}
[/tex]

Or, if that's not clear enough, you can use little arrows -- which is the default behavior for LaTeX's \vec command.

[tex]\vec{a} = \frac{\vec{F}}{m}[/tex]

- Warren
 

1. Which particle is faster: proton or electron?

The answer is that it depends on the context. In a vacuum, both particles travel at the same speed, which is the speed of light. However, in a medium such as air or water, protons are generally faster because they have a larger mass and can push through the medium more easily.

2. How does the speed of a proton or electron affect its behavior?

The speed of a particle can affect its behavior in a variety of ways. For example, a faster-moving electron can have a higher energy level, which can impact its interactions with other particles. Additionally, the speed of a particle can determine its ability to pass through different materials or barriers.

3. Why is the speed of light considered the universal speed limit?

The speed of light is considered the universal speed limit because it is the fastest speed at which any object can travel in the universe. This is due to the fact that as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass increases, making it more difficult to accelerate further.

4. Can the speed of a proton or electron be changed?

Yes, the speed of a proton or electron can be changed through various means, such as applying an electric or magnetic field. However, the maximum speed that these particles can reach is still limited by the speed of light.

5. How do scientists measure the speed of a proton or electron?

Scientists use a variety of methods to measure the speed of particles, including timing their travel over a specific distance or using specialized instruments such as particle accelerators. These measurements can also be affected by the medium through which the particles are traveling.

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