Electric potential/potential energy

  • Thread starter Thread starter triplezero24
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Electric Energy
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of a proton and an electron after they accelerate through a potential difference of 190V, using the equation 1/2mv^2 = q(190V). For determining the electric potential due to a proton at the electron's orbit, the correct formula V = kq/r is confirmed, with the charge q being the charge of the proton. The third question addresses the distance between equipotentials in a uniform electric field, with the equation ΔV = ED provided as a solution. Participants clarify the relationship between the charges of protons and electrons and emphasize the importance of understanding the underlying concepts. Overall, the thread highlights key principles of electric potential and energy in particle physics.
triplezero24
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
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
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 
Back
Top