Elecric charge and electric field

AI Thread Summary
An electron is accelerated in a uniform electric field between two charged plates, and the problem involves calculating its exit speed after passing through a hole in the positive plate. The correct approach to find the speed is by equating the kinetic energy gained to the potential energy lost, using the formula ½mv² = qEΔx. Initial calculations contained errors, particularly in the mass of the electron, which was corrected to yield a final speed of approximately 7.49 x 10^6 m/s. Additionally, the discussion highlights that gravitational force can be ignored if the ratio of electric force to gravitational force is significantly greater than one. The participants confirm their understanding of these principles and calculations.
jena
Messages
74
Reaction score
0
Hi,

My problem is:

An electron( mass m=9.11 x 10^-31 kg) is accelerated in the uniform field E( E=1.45 x 10^4 N/C) between two parallel charged plates. The separation of the plates is 1.10 cm. The electron is accelerated from rest near the negative plate and passes through a tiny hole in the positive plate. With what speed does it leave the hole?

Work

m=9.11 x 10^-31 kg
E=1.45 x 10^4 N/C
distance= 1.10 x 10^.2 m
q= -1.6 x 10^-19 C

qE(s) = ½ mv^2 - ½ mv^2

-1.6 x 10^-19 C= ½ (9.0 x 10^-31 kg)(v)^2

solve for v

v=7.14 x10^-7 m/s

Is this the correct way of approaching the problem, or answer?
Please help

Thank You
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Energy is the correct method, but you made an error in your calculation.

The electron goes through the E field acquiring kinetic energy equal to the loss in potential energy. Its total potential energy is given by PE = qE\Delta x, with delta x being the separation of the two plates. Since it starts at rest and experiences no other forces, the final kinetic energy will be equal the initial potential energy.

\frac{1}{2}mv^2 = qE\Delta x

You seem to have equated the charge with the final kinetic energy on the step before "solve for v".
 
A funnier way of writing the potential energy of an electric field:
QED
 
Hi,

Whozum said that I should use this equation:
\frac{1}{2}mv^2 = qE\Delta x

So all I would have to do is plug everything in right? :smile:

My work

(1/2)(9.11 x 10 ^31)V^2=(1.6 x 10 ^-19)(1.45 X 10^4)(.11)

V^2=((1.6 x 10 ^-19)(1.45 X 10^4)(.011)
)/((1/2)(9.11 x 10 ^31))

V=7.49 X 10^-25 m/s

But I looked at the back of the book and gives the answer of 7.49 X10^6 m/s

Did I forget something?

Please help and Thank You
 
Last edited:
FluxCapacitator said:
A funnier way of writing the potential energy of an electric field:
QED
Quantum electrodynamics?
?:(

And uhh... check your electron mass again, I'm pretty sure an electron is lighter than the sun. :smile:
 
Hi,

I see what I did wrong. :blushing:

Work:

(1/2)(9.11 x 10 ^31)V^2=(1.6 x 10 ^-19)(1.45 X 10^4)(.11)

V^2=((1.6 x 10 ^-19)(1.45 X 10^4)(.011)
)/((1/2)(9.11 x 10 ^-31))

V=7.49 X10^6 m/s

Thanks :smile:
 
Hi,

The second portion of this question asks:

Show that the gravitational force can be ignored.

I found that I can ignore gravitational force as long as the size of qE / m relative to g. As long as qE / m is much larger than g, gravity can be ignored. Gravity is very easy to account for, of course : simply add mg to the free-body diagram and go from there.

So if that's the case couldn't I just find the acceleration of the problem, since I already found the velocity and see if this is true.

Thank You
 
Back
Top