Electrons in Electric Fields: Examining Changes

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SUMMARY

Electrons experience changes in position and velocity when subjected to an electric field, as described by the equation \( F_E = Eq_e \). According to classical mechanics, while the charge distribution of the electron remains unchanged, the electron can gain or lose kinetic energy, resulting in acceleration or deceleration. The trajectory of the electron can also be altered, allowing it to deflect or curve based on the direction of the electric field. This principle is utilized in older CRT technology, where electric fields were employed to deflect electron beams.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of classical mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with electric fields and forces
  • Knowledge of electron properties and behavior
  • Basic grasp of equations of motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Lorentz force law and its applications
  • Learn about electric field intensity and its effects on charged particles
  • Explore the principles of electron beam deflection in CRTs
  • Investigate the relationship between kinetic energy and electric fields
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying electromagnetism or particle physics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the behavior of electrons in electric fields.

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
 
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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