Help with electron in electric field problem

AI Thread Summary
An electron with an initial velocity of 5 × 10^5 m/s in the x direction enters a uniform electric field of 440 N/C in the y direction. The relevant equations for this problem are F = eq and F = ma, leading to the formula for acceleration a = Eq/m. The calculated acceleration is approximately 7.28 × 10^13 m/s², but there are concerns about the submission format for an electronic homework service. It is suggested that the answer may need to specify direction using unit vectors. Ensuring correct arithmetic and format is crucial for successful submission.
Nano
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Homework Statement



An electron has an initial velocity of 5 ×
105 m/s in the x direction. It enters a uni-
form electric field ~E = (440 N/C) ˆj which is
in the y direction.
The charge and mass of an electron are
1.6×10−19 C and 9.11×10−31 kg, respectively.
Find the acceleration of the electron.
Answer in units of m/s2.

Homework Equations



F=eq
F=ma


The Attempt at a Solution



I tried using those two equations and coming up with a = Eq/m, but that's not the correct answer!
 
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Nano said:
I tried using those two equations and coming up with a = Eq/m, but that's not the correct answer!
That should work just fine. Show what you did.

Since acceleration is a vector, they may want you to specify its direction as well.
 
440 * (1.6e-19)/ (9.11e-31) = 7.2777e13 m/s^2

I'm submitting it into an electronic homework service, which is very picky. I tried submitting a negative answer too, but that's is not correct either...
 
Nano said:
440 * (1.6e-19)/ (9.11e-31) = 7.2777e13 m/s^2
Check your arithmetic. (I suspect it's just a typo here.)

I'm submitting it into an electronic homework service, which is very picky. I tried submitting a negative answer too, but that's is not correct either
Since the directions were given using unit vectors, perhaps that's what they want in the answer.
 
Doc Al said:
Check your arithmetic. (I suspect it's just a typo here.)

Aha! Thank you!
 
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