Calculating Electric Field Strength to Stop an Electron

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the strength of an electric field required to bring an electron to rest over a specified distance while moving at a fraction of the speed of light. The context is within the subject area of electromagnetism and kinematics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the electric field strength using the force equation and initial conditions. Some participants question the omission of the electron's charge and mass, suggesting the need for relativistic considerations. Others seek clarification on specific numerical values presented in the discussion.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem, including the necessary parameters for the calculations. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or values at this stage.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of considering relativistic effects and the definitions of charge and mass in the context of the problem. There may be constraints related to homework guidelines that influence the discussion.

mathcrzy
Messages
47
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



An electron moving to the right at 3% the speed of light enters a uniform electric field parallel to its direction of motion. The electron is to be brought to rest in the space of 6.0cm.
What is the strength of the field?______N/C

Homework Equations



F = q * E

The Attempt at a Solution



Speed = .03 * 3*10^8 = 9,000,000
distance = 6cm = .06m

F = .06 * 9,000,000 = 5.4*10^5 = 5.4*10^2 N/C
 
Physics news on Phys.org
While calculating the field you have not taken into account the charge and mass of the electron. Here you have to take the relativistic mass.
 
And that would be 50 * 10^-6 ?
 
And that would be 50 * 10^-6 ?
From where did you get this number? What is this?
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
9K
Replies
3
Views
1K