Electric potential difference in a charge

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating potential differences in two physics problems involving charged particles. The first question involves an electron moving between parallel plates, where the user struggles to find the potential difference due to missing charge information. The second question concerns two alpha particles approaching each other, with the user initially confused about how to calculate their minimum separation. Participants suggest using known constants, like the charge of an electron, and emphasize the importance of checking textbooks for relevant formulas and concepts. The conversation highlights the need for clarity in problem statements and encourages users to verify their calculations and assumptions.
i need help PLZ
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So I have two questions relating to potential difference

1.An electron with a velocity of 5.0x10^6 m/s injected into a parallel plate apparatus through a hole in the positive plate. it moves across the vacuum between the plates, colliding with negative plate at 1.0x10^6 m/s. what is the potential difference between the plates? (mass of electron = 9.1x10^-31 kg)

2.Two alpha particles (mass 6.6x 10^.27 kg. charge = 3.2 x 10^ -19c) separated by an enormous distance, apporach each other along a "head on collision" path. Each has a speed of 3.0x10^-19m/s to begin with. Calculate their minimum separation, assuming no deflection from their original path.

I tried with 0.5mv^2 = Eqd for the first question, but there is no charge or distance given. I saw another way where is 0.5mv^2 = qV but still there is no charge given to solve.

For the second question I am kind of clueless..

Somebody help ..
 
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i need help PLZ said:
I saw another way where is 0.5mv^2 = qV but still there is no charge given to solve.

Surely your textbook states the charge of an electron somewhere? Or you can try Google. :oldwink:
 
Hi, Welcome to Physics Forums.

In future please use the template provided in the edit window to format your question, and post only one question per thread.

i need help PLZ said:
So I have two questions relating to potential difference

1.An electron with a velocity of 5.0x10^6 m/s injected into a parallel plate apparatus through a hole in the positive plate. it moves across the vacuum between the plates, colliding with negative plate at 1.0x10^6 m/s. what is the potential difference between the plates? (mass of electron = 9.1x10^-31 kg)

2.Two alpha particles (mass 6.6x 10^.27 kg. charge = 3.2 x 10^ -19c) separated by an enormous distance, apporach each other along a "head on collision" path. Each has a speed of 3.0x10^-19m/s to begin with. Calculate their minimum separation, assuming no deflection from their original path.

I tried with 0.5mv^2 = Eqd for the first question, but there is no charge or distance given. I saw another way where is 0.5mv^2 = qV but still there is no charge given to solve.
jtbell gave good advice for the charge of the electron. It's used frequently in physics so can be considered a constant that you should be familiar with, much like g is.
For the second question I am kind of clueless..
What physical quantities can you calculate with the given information?

Can you confirm the given speed value in the problem statement? It seems to be rather small to yield a realistic result (at least for our universe :wideeyed: )
 
jtbell said:
Surely your textbook states the charge of an electron somewhere? Or you can try Google. :oldwink:
so is V = (0.5(9.1x10^-31)((1.0x10^6)^2))/(1.6x10^19)
and is there a difference between 0.5mv^2 = Eqd and 0.5mv^2 = qV
 
gneill said:
Hi, Welcome to Physics Forums.

In future please use the template provided in the edit window to format your question, and post only one question per thread.jtbell gave good advice for the charge of the electron. It's used frequently in physics so can be considered a constant that you should be familiar with, much like g is.

What physical quantities can you calculate with the given information?

Can you confirm the given speed value in the problem statement? It seems to be rather small to yield a realistic result (at least for our universe :wideeyed: )
The speed for the second question is actually 3.0x10^6 m/s, i put the wrong numbers.
 
i need help PLZ said:
The speed for the second question is actually 3.0x10^6 m/s, i put the wrong numbers.
Okay, that looks more plausible for the question. What have you tried?
 
gneill said:
Okay, that looks more plausible for the question. What have you tried?
I subbed it into 0.5mv^2 to find the kinetic energy
 
i need help PLZ said:
I subbed it into 0.5mv^2 to find the kinetic energy
Okay, what will you do with it?
 
gneill said:
Okay, what will you do with it?
Find the potential difference ?
 
  • #10
i need help PLZ said:
Find the potential difference ?
What potential difference would that be? Perhaps you mean potential energy?
 
  • #11
gneill said:
What potential difference would that be? Perhaps you mean potential energy?
Yes, how would you find the potential energy
 
  • #12
i need help PLZ said:
Yes, how would you find the potential energy
Good question. Have you checked your text or course notes? Look up electric potential energy.
 
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