Elecric charge and electric field

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an electron being accelerated in a uniform electric field between two parallel charged plates. The original poster presents the scenario, including the mass of the electron, the strength of the electric field, and the distance between the plates, seeking to determine the speed of the electron as it exits through a hole in the positive plate.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of energy conservation principles to relate potential energy and kinetic energy. There are questions about the calculations and the correct application of formulas. Some participants also explore the implications of gravitational force in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

There is active engagement with the problem, including corrections to calculations and clarifications on the application of energy equations. Participants are exploring different aspects of the problem, including the relevance of gravitational force compared to electric force, but no consensus has been reached on the final interpretation of the results.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential errors in calculations and the importance of correctly identifying the mass of the electron. There is also mention of the need to compare the forces acting on the electron to justify ignoring gravity.

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
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
705
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
8K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K