Calculate Force on Electron in Magnetic Field: 61500V, 0.477T

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the force exerted on an electron in a magnetic field after being accelerated by a voltage of 61500 V. The relevant formula for the magnetic force is F = qBv sin(θ), where θ is the angle between the velocity and magnetic field direction. To determine the velocity (v), the kinetic energy approach is employed, equating the electric potential energy (E_el = Vq) to kinetic energy (E_kin = 1/2 mv²). The final expressions derived are v = √(2qV/m) and F = qB√(2qV/m).

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Here is the problem word for word:

An electron in a vacuum is first accelerated by a voltage of 61500 V and then enters a region in which there is a uniform magnetic field of 0.477 T at right angles to the direction of the electron's motion. The mass of the electron is 9.11e-31 Kg and its charge is 1.60218e-19 C. What is the magnitude fo the force on the electron due to the magnetic field? Answer in units of N.

The problem is easy in the fact that the formula to use is F=qBvsin0 (0 = theta). However, I cannot figure out how to get the velocity, as it is the unknown here. I know that v=E/B; however, I cannot figure out how to get E from the information provided in the problem.

Can anyone clue me in on how to get E from the information above?
 
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Use an energy approach, since clearly, you are given the energy imparted to the electron, because it's being accelerated through a voltage difference. Then equate that energy to the kinetic energy to find the speed v.
 
you don't need E to get the velocity

E_{el}=\frac{1}{2}U\cdot q\hspace{2cm} E_{kin}=\frac{1}{2}m\cdot v^2

E_{el}=E_{kin}\hspace{2cm}\rightarrow v=\sqrt{\frac{U\cdot q}{m}} \hspace{2cm}\rightarrow F=q\cdot B\cdot \sqrt{\frac{U\cdot q}{m}}


:wink:
Regards
Roman
 
Thanks for your help. I came up with something close to Gellman's solution using Galileo's hint. What I came up with is:

U = Vq (potential energy)
1/2 mv^2 (kinetic energy)

Vq = 1/2 mv^2 (then solve for v)
v = SQRT(2qv/m)

F = qB(SQRT(2qv/m))sin0 (0 = theta)
 

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