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

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the force on an electron that has been accelerated by a voltage of 61500 V and subsequently enters a magnetic field of 0.477 T. The context is within electromagnetism, specifically focusing on the interaction between charged particles and magnetic fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to determine the electron's velocity, with one suggesting the use of energy principles to relate the voltage to kinetic energy. Others explore the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy to derive the velocity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing different perspectives on how to approach the problem. Some have offered guidance on using energy conservation principles, while others are working through the implications of the formulas involved.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on deriving the velocity from the given voltage and charge, with some participants questioning the necessity of calculating electric field strength directly. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of the problem setup and the relationships between energy forms.

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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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