Calculating the Y-Component of an Electron's Velocity in a High Voltage Field

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the y-component of an electron's velocity as it passes through a high voltage field created by two parallel plates. The electric field was determined to be 50,000 V/m using the equation E = V/d, where V is the potential difference of 500V and d is the separation of 1 cm. The force on the electron was calculated using F = EQ, resulting in a force of 8.01 x 10^-15 N. The final y-component of the electron's velocity was found to be 3.61697 x 10^7 m/s.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and forces (E = V/d)
  • Knowledge of the relationship between force, charge, and electric field (F = EQ)
  • Familiarity with Newton's second law of motion
  • Basic principles of kinetic and potential energy in electric fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of electric fields in parallel plate capacitors
  • Learn about the motion of charged particles in electric fields
  • Explore the derivation and application of kinetic energy equations in electric fields
  • Investigate the effects of varying potential differences on particle trajectories
USEFUL FOR

Students in electromagnetism, physics educators, and anyone studying the dynamics of charged particles in electric fields.

pcandrepair
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Homework Statement



An electron with an initial velocity of 4.7 x 10^7 m/s in the x-direction moves along a trajectory that takes it directly between the center of two 20 cm x 20 cm plates separated by 1 cm. The plates are connected to a high voltage power supply so that the potential difference between them is 500V. What is the magnitude of the y-component of the electron’s velocity when it leaves the plates? (Answer in units of ANSWER x 10^7 m/s.)


Homework Equations


E = V/d


The Attempt at a Solution



I think I found the electric field of the plates to be:
E = 500V / .01m E = 50,000 V/m

From there I have no idea where to go...Any help would be appreciated!
 

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The electric field is going to apply a force to the electron

Do you know the equation that relates electric field, charge, and force?
 
just started EM stuff now, sorry can't help. but blochwave is right, there is an equation that relates to electric field, charge and force, the only one i can think of uses two particles and a separation between them, would not be useful for in this instance. best of luck. lol I am curious actually...
 
Well that's the equation FOR an electric field, which you can't quite use here exactly in that form, but he already used the equation for parallel plate capacitors and now KNOWS the electric field, and needs to find the force on a particle with known charge within that (conveniently constant) electric field
 
Last edited:
If F=EQ, and E=V/d, can you find F? What does Newton's 2nd law say now?

(Hint: the velocity in the x-direction stays constant)
 
So the force would be F = (50000 V)*(1.602 x10^-19 C)
F = 8.01 x10^-15 N
 
pcandrepair said:
So the force would be F = (50000 V)*(1.602 x10^-19 C)
F = 8.01 x10^-15 N

Yes that is the force. Note that the units of E are either Vm^{-1} or NC^{-1}
 
Kinetic + potential = Emech
(1/2m(Vi^2)) - q(E)*(Xi) = (1/2m(Vf^2)) - q(E)*(Xf)
Then we changed the equation to this:
qE(20cm) = 1/2(mass of electron)*((Vf^2) + (Vi^2))
Then we solved for Vf:
Vf = 3.61697 x10^7 m/s
 

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