Basic particle accelerator - escape speed (grade 12)

[krbs]

Homework Statement

The device has two parallel plates, one positively charged and one negatively. The positive plate has a hole to allow electrons to fire out of it.

b) How can the device be modified to accelerate protons?
c) How does the escape velocity of a proton compare to that of an electron, if the electric field were the same? Explain.

Homework Equations

a = qε/m

The Attempt at a Solution

Part c is what I'm unsure about. Are they assuming that I've modified the device, but the electric field has the same magnitude?

If so, my educated guess is as follows:

The particles have equal but opposite charges and experience the same field, but a proton has a larger mass and will be accelerated less before exiting the device; therefore, it will have a lower exit speed.

On the other hand, assuming the device has not been modified, the proton would still have a lower exit speed (probably won't exit at all) because it's attracted to the negative plate.

 

[BvU]

You're doing fine. Yes, part c question comes after the modification. (otherwise the protons would indeed go the other way and fall on to the negative plate).

 

[krbs]

Thank you,