Electrons in Electric Fields: Examining Changes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the changes that occur in an electron when it moves through an electric field. Participants explore the implications of classical physics on the behavior of electrons in such fields, considering both theoretical and conceptual aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that according to classical physics, the charge distribution of an electron does not change as it is treated as a point particle, with all its charge concentrated at a single point.
  • It is noted that the only changes that can occur involve the position and velocity of the electron due to the force exerted by the electric field, expressed by the equation ##F_E=Eq_e##.
  • One participant emphasizes that while the electron itself does not change, it can gain or lose kinetic energy depending on the direction of the electric field and its trajectory.
  • There is mention of practical applications, such as older CRTs that utilized electric fields to deflect electron beams, illustrating the effects of electric fields on electron motion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the electron does not change internally but may experience changes in motion and energy due to the electric field. However, there are nuances in how these changes are described, and some aspects remain contested.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the implications of the electron's behavior in various contexts, such as the effects of electromagnetic radiation during acceleration or the limitations of classical physics in describing quantum phenomena.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying classical mechanics, electromagnetism, or the behavior of charged particles in electric fields, as well as individuals exploring the foundational concepts of particle physics.

Magnetons
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What changes occur in electron, whenit through in a electric field
 
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According to classical physics nothing changes in the charge distribution of electron as electron is considered to be a point particle and all its charge is concentrated in one point of space.

The only change that can happen is in the position and velocity of electron as electron will experience the force from the electric field ##F_E=Eq_e## (where E the intensity of the electric field) and if this force is the only force upon the electron then according to classical mechanics (and neglecting the energy lost due to EM radiation from the electron being accelerating) we ll have $$Eq_e=m_e\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}$$ where ##q_e,m_e## the charge and mass of electron respectively and ##x(t)## its position as function of time.
 
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@Magnetons to put it shortly and in plain english, nothing changes "in the electron" itself and truth be told there is no such thing as "inside an electron", at least to the best of our current knowledge. But electrons do have properties, an E field can basically either accelerate or decelerate an electron. So the electron either gains or loses kinetic energy.
depending on the trajectory , kinetic energy of the electron and the E field line direction applied the electron can be either accelerated or decelerated in straight lines or deflected and bent from a straight trajectory into a curve, or it's trajectory can be changed by certain angle.
Some old small CRT's used E field instead of B field to deflect the electron beam
 
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Magnetons said:
Summary:: Question

What changes occur in electron, whenit through in a electric field
It could either slow down or speed up and/or change its direction of motion. In other words, it accelerates.
 
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