Calculate final velocity of electric particle

AI Thread Summary
A particle with a mass of 7.3 × 10−5 g and a charge of 24 mC is moving in a uniform electric field of 6.3 N/C. The initial velocity is given as vy = 4.1 × 10^5 m/s, with vx and vz equal to zero. The acceleration is calculated to be 2071232.877 m/s², leading to a final velocity of 1238493.151 m/s after 0.4 seconds. However, there is confusion regarding the correct calculation method, particularly about treating the velocity components separately and ensuring the correct units for charge. The final speed should be derived from both the x and y components, using the Pythagorean theorem to combine them.
beeteep
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Homework Statement


A particle of mass 7.3 × 10−5 g and charge 24 mC moves in a region of space where the electric field is uniform and is 6.3 N/C in the x direction and zero in the y and z direction. If the initial velocity of the particle is given by vy = 4.1 × 105 m/s, vx = vz = 0, what is the speed of the particle at 0.4 s? Answer in units of m/s

Homework Equations


F=ma
F=qE
v=vi + at

The Attempt at a Solution



m=7.3x10-8 kg
q=.024 C
E=6.3 N/C
F = .024(6.3) = .1512 N

.1512 = 7.3x10-8a
a = 2071232.877 m/s2x = doesn't matter
xi = doesn't matter
v = ?
vi = 4.1x10^5
a = 2071232.877
t = .4

v = vi + at
v = 4.1x105 + 2071232.877(.4) = 1238493.151 m/s

Final Answer = 1238493.151

But the system says it's wrong...
Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
 
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Ten significant figures?
 
The system is supposed to count your answer correct if you're within +/- 1% of the correct answer, so I err on the side of caution and put in every digit I have since it did not specify how many significant figures it wanted.
 
beeteep said:
charge 24 mC
Isn't that rather large? Should it be μC?

beeteep said:
v = vi + at
Yes, but not vxi+ayt.
Correction, I meant:
Yes, but not vyi+axt.
 
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Most of the problems I have worked have been μC but I just double checked and this problem definitely says mC.
 
beeteep said:
Most of the problems I have worked have been μC but I just double checked and this problem definitely says mC.
OK, but please see the edit to my previous post.
 
OK. I think I see what you're saying. According to the problem statement, since the vyi is given and there is no force acting in the y-direction, vyf=vyi. Then I'd calculate the vxf with vxi=0 and include the acceleration for .4s which would give me two components to a vector, right? With that, I could take the square-root of (vx2 + vy2) and that would give me the speed?
 
beeteep said:
OK. I think I see what you're saying. According to the problem statement, since the vyi is given and there is no force acting in the y-direction, vyf=vyi. Then I'd calculate the vxf with vxi=0 and include the acceleration for .4s which would give me two components to a vector, right? With that, I could take the square-root of (vx2 + vy2) and that would give me the speed?
Yes.
 
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Some heroes don't wear capes. :smile:

Thank you so much for your help!
 
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