What happens to an electron created inside a conductor in an electric field?

In summary, the conversation discusses the behavior of an electron generated inside a conductor with an applied electric field. The electron is expected to rapidly migrate to the surface of the conductor and may be ejected from the surface. The strength of the electric field and the conductor's shielding effect play a role in the electron's motion. There is also a brief discussion about the presence of an electric field inside the conductor due to the electron charge and surface charge, which adjusts to eliminate the internal electric field when the electron reaches the surface.
  • #1
BrINClHOF
3
0
Heres's the situation:

A neutron enters a block of Gadolinium, it gets absorbed at some point and emits an electron via internal conversion. This electron has an energy of 72 keV (most probable interaction).

If the Gd block is in an electric field, what describes the motion of the electron?

Will it be accelerated through the Gd in the direction of the field and get trapped on the surface? or will it have enough energy to be emitted? (this occurs if there is no E field, assuming a thin enough piece of Gd)

Does it depend on the strength of the E field?

I don't even know what keywords to start looking for to find more about this.

In Summary: Electron is generated INSIDE a conductor that has an electric field applied to it-what happens to that electron?

If anyone has any equations or papers regarding something like this, I'd really appreciate it.

EDIT: Thinking more about it, I know there is no E Field inside a conductor, so would it have no affect? That seems counter intuitive to me. My brain hurts
 
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  • #2


A conductor will shield an external static E field.
The electron will rapidly migrate to the surface of the conductor.
 
  • #3


Meir Achuz said:
A conductor will shield an external static E field.
The electron will rapidly migrate to the surface of the conductor.

So the electron rapidly mitigates to the surface. Will it be ejected from the surface? Will it take a linear path to the surface or be heavily scattered? What gauges the acceleration, does it obey F=qE even inside of the conductor?

I have used CASINO (monte carlo sim) to model an electrons path in the metal, but that's only with an initial energy, not with an electric field inside, which I'm assuming just accelerates the electron in the direction of the field.
 
  • #4


The electron will stay on the surface of the conductor.
The only electric field inside the conductor is due to the surface charge induced by the electron. The electron trajectory is easily found or a spherical conductor. I am not familar with CASINO, but it might be all you need. The external field does not enter the conductor.
 
  • #5


Interesting, thanks for the thoughts
 
  • #6


Meir Achuz said:
The electron will stay on the surface of the conductor.
The only electric field inside the conductor is due to the surface charge induced by the electron.
When the electron is inside the conductor for that brief amount of time there will be an E field
inside produced from the electron. But when the electron has made it to the surface there will be no E field inside the conductor. Or am i wrong.
 
  • #7


cragar said:
When the electron is inside the conductor for that brief amount of time there will be an E field
inside produced from the electron. But when the electron has made it to the surface there will be no E field inside the conductor. Or am i wrong.
I think we agree. The E field in the conductor for the short time the electron is inside, is due to the electron charge and to the varying surface charge due to the electron's field. When the electron is on the surface. The surface charge adjusts so there is no E field inside.
 

Related to What happens to an electron created inside a conductor in an electric field?

1. What is the motion of an electron in an electric field?

When an electron is created inside a conductor, it will experience a force from the electric field present. This force will cause the electron to move in a specific direction, either towards or away from the positive or negative terminal of the conductor.

2. How does the strength of the electric field affect the motion of the electron?

The strength of the electric field will determine the magnitude of the force acting on the electron. A stronger electric field will result in a greater force and therefore a faster motion of the electron.

3. What is the relationship between the motion of the electron and the current in the conductor?

The motion of the electron in the conductor is directly related to the current flowing through the conductor. As the electron moves, it creates a flow of charge, which is what we know as electric current.

4. How does the presence of other charges in the conductor affect the motion of the electron?

If there are other charges present in the conductor, they may also contribute to the electric field. This can affect the motion of the electron, as it will experience a force from these charges in addition to the force from the electric field.

5. Can the motion of an electron in a conductor be controlled?

Yes, the motion of an electron in a conductor can be controlled by manipulating the electric field or by applying an external force on the electron. This is the basis for many electronic devices, where the motion of electrons is controlled to perform specific functions.

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