Electric field and electron acceleration

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the acceleration of an electron in an electric field, specifically one with a magnitude of 6900 N/C directed due north. Participants are exploring the relationship between electric fields, forces, and acceleration, as well as extending the conversation to electric fields created by point charges.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of acceleration using the relationship between electric force and acceleration, questioning the direction of the acceleration. There is also a shift to a new problem regarding the location on the x-axis where the electric field is zero due to two point charges, raising confusion about how to apply the electric field equation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the relationships between electric fields and forces. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of electric fields as vectors and the conditions for cancellation of fields from multiple charges. However, there is no explicit consensus on the solutions to the problems presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is also a noted confusion regarding the application of formulas and the interpretation of distances between charges.

kong12
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What are the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of an electron at a point where the electric field has magnitude 6900 N/C and is directed due north?
 
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label the north direction as [tex]\hat{y}[/tex] so [tex]\vec{E}=E \hat{y}[/tex]. The "electric force" equals the charge times the electric field. that is,

[tex]m \vec{a} = -eE \hat{y}[/tex]

[tex]\vec{a} = \frac{-eE}{m} \hat{y}[/tex]

where e is the charge of the electron and m is its mass.
 
that would then make the direction south? i found my answer by using F=qE and the F=ma. and i have another question...
Two point charges, q1 = +20.0 nC and q2 = +11.0 nC, are located on the x-axis at x = 0 and x = 1.00 m, respectively. Where on the x-axis is the electric field equal to zero? i wanted to use the equation E=k[q]/r^2 but I'm confused as to what to do with the x=0 and x=1
 
You can use the x values to determine the distance (r) between the two charges.
 
i am not sure how to encorporate the the one formula with the various values
 
Note that electric fields are vectors. For the field to cancel at a point, the field due to A should cancel out the field due to B. Where do you think that could happen (between A and B / left of A / right of B)? Once you figure that out, take a point 'x', and find out x for Eax = Ebx.
 

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