How Far Does a Moving Electron Get From a Fixed Electron When It Stops?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in electrostatics involving the interaction between a moving electron and a fixed electron. The scenario describes a moving electron approaching a stationary electron, with specific initial conditions provided, including their distance and the moving electron's velocity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of energy conservation in the context of the problem, questioning the assumptions made about the electrons' behavior and the validity of the scenario. Some participants suggest that the problem oversimplifies the complexities of electron interactions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing hints and engaging in light-hearted banter about the nature of the problem. Some have pointed out the need for the original poster to clarify their attempts and reasoning, while others have offered insights into the energy dynamics at play.

Contextual Notes

There are indications that the problem may be perceived as unrealistic or overly simplistic, with participants questioning the appropriateness of the figures used and the assumptions about the electrons' interactions.

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hi.
i want to ask one problem about electrostaics.
i will be very thankful to u if u post reply about this question.

Suppose we have one moving electron ,approaching towards a fixed electron.
If they 1mm apart when the moving electron has the velocity of 1000cm/s.
How far will be the moving electron from the fixed electron when it comes to the rest.

mass of electron=9.1E-31 Kg
charge of electron =1.6E-19 C

Answer=.5 mm
 
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HINT: Energy is conserved!
 
salman_upright said:
hi.
i want to ask one problem about electrostaics.
i will be very thankful to u if u post reply about this question.
Suppose we have one moving electron ,approaching towards a fixed electron.
If they 1mm apart when the moving electron has the velocity of 1000cm/s.
How far will be the moving electron from the fixed electron when it comes to the rest.
mass of electron=9.1E-31 Kg
charge of electron =1.6E-19 C
Answer=.5 mm

Though the problem is absurd (it assumes the electrons as bowling balls,one of them being fixed (probably some "intelligent"dude stuck it with glue :-p )) as (probably) implies electrostatic interaction when it actually ain't,i'll say that the answer can be found out applying the old famous energy conseration law,since that old & tired looking Coulomb potential comes from a conservative force .

Daniel.

PS.I guess the only challanging fact about this problem is trying not to laugh whe reading its text. :wink:
 
... implies electrostatic interaction when it actually ain't

Hmm. 1 esu, 1000 cm/s, 1 mm - does that suggest to you that radiation, quantum, relativistic and space warping effects are significant? Get back to us when you've carried out the calculation to 137 signficant digits. :wink:
 
Tide said:
Hmm. 1 esu, 1000 cm/s, 1 mm - does that suggest to you that radiation, quantum, relativistic and space warping effects are significant? Get back to us when you've carried out the calculation to 137 signficant digits. :wink:

U got me there,Tide... :biggrin: But at least it shouldn't have called them "electrons",but "electrically charged bowling balls".And should have given reasonable figures for mass and charge.

Daniel.

PS.I knew QED only stopped at 12 significant digits. :smile: IIi guess u saw me a relative of Super(machine gun :smile: )man... :wink:
 
don't be smart ok
give me the solution man
 
Well, first, you should be posting your homework problems in the homework section and, second, you should be telling us exactly what YOU have tried so far on the problem. I think it's a bit over the top to DEMAND a solution to YOUR problem from people who give freely of their time and knowledge. Moreover, you've already been given the key hint to actually solving the problem yourself.
 
The moving electron should have a initial kinetic energy. This kinetic energy will need to be dissipated by electromotive repulsion, EMF. Should be easy enough.
 
salman_upright said:
hi.
i want to ask one problem about electrostaics.
i will be very thankful to u if u post reply about this question.

Suppose we have one moving electron ,approaching towards a fixed electron.
If they 1mm apart when the moving electron has the velocity of 1000cm/s.
How far will be the moving electron from the fixed electron when it comes to the rest.

mass of electron=9.1E-31 Kg
charge of electron =1.6E-19 C

Answer=.5 mm
[tex]U_i + KE_i = U_f + KE_f[/tex]

[tex]KE_i = \frac{1}{2}m_ev^2[/tex]

[tex]KE_f = 0[/tex]

[tex]U_i = \frac{kQ_e^2}{d_i}[/tex]

[tex]U_f = \frac{kQ_e^2}{d_{min}}[/tex]

So:

[tex]d_{min} =\frac{kQ_e^2}{kQ_e^2/d_i + \frac{1}{2}m_ev^2}[/tex]

[tex]d_{min} =\frac{d_i}{1 + \frac{d_im_ev^2}{2kQ_e^2}}[/tex]

Plug in the numbers and what do you get?

For [tex]kQ_e^2[/tex] I get 23.04E-29 Jm
For [tex]\frac{1}{2}m_ev^2[/tex] I get 4.55E-29 J.

So I would say that there is something wrong with the question if the answer is .5 mm.

AM
 

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