Calculating Acceleration Time for an Electron

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the time it takes for an electron to accelerate uniformly from rest to a specified velocity over a given displacement. The subject area is kinematics, specifically focusing on uniform acceleration and the relationships between displacement, velocity, and time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various kinematic equations and their applicability given the unknowns of acceleration and time. Some express confusion about how to proceed without knowing either variable, while others suggest listing known data to clarify the situation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different equations and their components. Some guidance has been provided regarding the relationships between the variables, but there is no explicit consensus on a method to find the time.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the equations they are familiar with typically require knowledge of either acceleration or time, leading to uncertainty in how to approach the problem without these values. There is also a mention of the need to clarify the definitions of terms used in the equations.

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Homework Statement


An electron is accelerated uniformly from rest to a velocity of 2.0x10^7m/s(E) over the displacement .10m(E).

How long does the electron take to reach its final velocity?



Homework Equations



This is what i want to know


The Attempt at a Solution



I know the answer, but can not figure out how to get it 1x10^-8
 
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Maybe try using one of the kinematic equations like v=u+at or s=ut+1/2at2
 
s=(u+v)/2*t
put u=0
 
ok more precisely the problem is that i don't know acceleration or time. all the general equations i know, require either acceleration or time to figure out one or the other. So, not knowing either, how do I proceed?

and, don't those three equations require me to know time??
 
you almost know the average speed :
half the ending speed , because the starting speed was zero.
 
When you don't know how to proceed, it's better if you list all the know data. Like this:

[tex]v_{1}=0, v_{2}=..., \Delta d=..., a=?, \Delta t=?[/tex]

Now, since you know v1,v2, Delta d, which formula can you use?
 
of the 5 general equations for uniform acceleration that i know, all of the equations require us to know one of the two acceleration, or time.
 
well, if the equation doesn't have TIME in it , you'll never be able to solve for the time .

But don't you have an equation withOUT acceleration?
 
Interceptor has told you the answer.
 
  • #10
Ok, so if interceptors equation is,

s=(u+v)/2*t

s is Speed = 1x10^7
u is ? but = 0
v is Velocity = 2x10^7
t is time? = unknown

Which means I can't proceed because I have an equation that requires one of my unknowns.

Sorry for being so much trouble. But I am really havin a hard time with this lol.
 
  • #11
slpnsldr said:
Ok, so if interceptors equation is,

s=(u+v)/2*t

s is Speed = 1x10^7
u is ? but = 0
v is Velocity = 2x10^7
t is time? = unknown

Which means I can't proceed because I have an equation that requires one of my unknowns.

Sorry for being so much trouble. But I am really havin a hard time with this lol.

s is displacement.
 
  • #12
It's alright. By s=(u+v)/2*t, Interceptor meant, s for displacement, u for initial speed and v for final speed. u=0 because the electron started from rest; other than that, you know s and v. Therefore, you can solve for t.
 
  • #13
ummm.. t= ((u+v)/2)/s ? does that make sense? ahhhh I suck at this
 
  • #14
ahhhh Nice!

t=s/(u+v)/2

Thanks so much guys! My heros!
 

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