Displacement of an electron between two plates

AI Thread Summary
An electron is accelerated through a voltage of 1.14x10^3 V and enters deflecting plates spaced 2.00 cm apart with a voltage of 412 V. The calculations for velocity, time, electric field, force, and acceleration were initially attempted, but an error was identified in the time calculation, which should be based on the electron's velocity while traveling through the plates. The correct time is 2.0x10^-9 s, leading to a final displacement of 7.23x10^-3 m toward the positive plate. The discussion highlights the importance of careful attention to detail in physics calculations.
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Homework Statement


In an oscilloscope, an electron is accelerated from rest through a voltage of 1.14x103 V. It then passes through deflecting plates 2.00 cm apart, across which there is a voltage of 412 V. Its velocity when it enters the plates is perpendicular to the electric field of the plates. When the electron leaves the plates, what distance will it have moved toward the positive plate? The length of the plates are 4.00 cm.

The answer is 7.23x10-3 m


Homework Equations



Givens:
vi= 0
Va= 1.14x103 V
Vd= 412 V
length of plate = 4 cm = 0.04 m
d= 2 cm= 0.02 m

Equations:
1/2mv2= Vaq
t=length of plate/v
E=Vd/d
F= Eq
a= F/m
x=1/2at2


The Attempt at a Solution



So, because it's an electron
q= 1.6x10-19
m= 9.11x10-31

Using the above equations and plugging in the givens, I've gotten:

v= 2.001x107 m/s

t=1.0x10-9 s

E= 20600 v/m

F= 3.296x10-15 N

a= 3.618x1015 m/s2

x= 1.809x10-3 m


which is not the right answer :( I'm not very good at physics so I'm having a hard time figuring out what I'm doing wrong.
 
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oy_katet said:
Using the above equations and plugging in the givens, I've gotten:

v= 2.001x107 m/s
Correct...

oy_katet said:
t=1.0x10-9 s

here is a mistake: The electron travels along the length of the plate with the v=2.00 m/s so the time is 2.0x10-9 s

ehild
 
ehild said:
Correct...



here is a mistake: The electron travels along the length of the plate with the v=2.00 m/s so the time is 2.0x10-9 s

ehild

Wellp, I'm just a big ol' dummy! I can't believe I made that oversight. Thanks so much!
 
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