Electric potential/potential energy

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around electric potential and potential energy, specifically focusing on the behavior of charged particles in electric fields and the calculations related to their motion and potential energy changes. The original poster presents several questions regarding the speed of particles after acceleration through a potential difference, the electric potential due to a proton at an electron's orbit, and the distance between equipotential lines in a uniform electric field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the speed of a proton and an electron after acceleration through a potential difference, using energy equations. They express uncertainty about the charge value for the proton and seek clarification on the electric potential due to the proton at the electron's orbit. Additionally, they question how to determine the distance between equipotential lines in a uniform electric field.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide guidance on the equations to use for the calculations and clarify the meaning of the charge in the context of the problems. There is an ongoing exploration of the concepts, with participants discussing the relationships between electric potential, charge, and distance in electric fields. The discussion reflects a mix of confirmations and requests for further clarification, indicating a productive exchange of ideas.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the charge of the proton is equal in magnitude to that of the electron but with an opposite sign. There is mention of the original poster's difficulty in locating the charge value in their textbook, which may affect their ability to proceed with the calculations.

triplezero24
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Ok I have a couple questions here.

1. Calculate the speed of a proton and an electron after each particle accelerates from rest through a potential difference of 190V.

I think I got the part of the electron because I randomly came across the energy value of an electron. The equation I'm using is 1/2mv^2 = q(190V)

2. A hydrogen electron orbits its proton in a circular orbit of radius 0.529X10^-10 meters. What is the electric potential due to the proton at the electron's orbit?

V=kq/r right? But where do I find the q??

3. A uniform electric field E=7500 N/C points in the negative x direction. What is the distance between the +14-V and +16-V equipotentials?

I have no idea on this one.

Any help on any of these woulod be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton in advance. :confused:

Eric
 
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part 1 looks right... you can do the same for a proton just don't forget to change the values of m and q.

part 2: that's the right equ'n... the q is referring to the source charge which in this case I believe to be the charge of the proton (should be in your book / same as e but opposite sign)

part 3: the equ'n for potential for a uniform electrical field is ED
 
MathStudent said:
part 1 looks right... you can do the same for a proton just don't forget to change the values of m and q.

part 2: that's the right equ'n... the q is referring to the source charge which in this case I believe to be the charge of the proton (should be in your book / same as e but opposite sign)

part 3: the equ'n for potential for a uniform electrical field is ED

For part 1 I just don't see how to get the q for the proton. I just stumbled upon it for the other part.

FOr part 2 the q value is definitely not in my book. I looked in all the appendices and everything.

For part 3 you're saying that V = ED?
 
triplezero24 said:
For part 1 I just don't see how to get the q for the proton. I just stumbled upon it for the other part.

FOr part 2 the q value is definitely not in my book. I looked in all the appendices and everything.

For part 3 you're saying that V = ED?
Realize that the charge of the proton is equal to that of an electron but has the opposite sign (that is its positive)... I believe I said this in an earlier post
triplezero24 said:
For part 3 you're saying that V = ED?
If you don't believe me remember that
\Delta V = \int\vec{E}\cdot\vec{dl}
since \vec{E} is constant , this can be taken out of the integral
and this becomes
\Delta V = \vec{E}\int\vec{dl}
And since \int\vec{dl} is just equal to the distance traveled by the particle
\Delta V = ED
(where the above integrals are definite line integrals whose lower limit is the starting point and upper limit is the end point of the path )
 
Last edited:
MathStudent said:
Realize that the charge of the proton is equal to that of an electron but has the opposite sign (that is its positive)... I believe I said this in an earlier post

If you don't believe me remember that
\DeltaV = \int\vec{E}\cdot\vec{dl}
since \vec{E} is constant , this can be taken out of the integral
and this becomes
\DeltaV = \vec{E}\int\vec{dl}
And since \int\vec{dl} is just equal to the distance traveled by the particle
\DeltaV = ED


Sorry if it sounded like I didn't believe you. I just didn't fully understand you. :smile:
 
Thats fine... you should question everything rather than take it at face value, its part of the learning process :)

PS: It should show a "Delta v" before each equals sign,,, is it showing up for you?
 
It doesn't show, but it makes more sense now. Thanks a bunch.
 

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