Finding Kinetic Energy of an Electron in a Hydrogen Atom and a Cathode Ray Tube

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the kinetic energy of an electron in two scenarios: in the lowest energy state of a hydrogen atom and in a cathode ray tube (CRT) accelerated through a 10kV potential. The kinetic energy formula used is E = mv²/2, with specific constants provided, including the mass of the electron (9.11 x 10-31 kg) and charge (1.6 x 10-19 C). For the CRT, it is confirmed that an electron accelerated through a 10kV potential gains 10keV of kinetic energy, as 1 volt corresponds to 1 eV of kinetic energy.

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  • Familiarity with electrostatic potential and its relationship to kinetic energy
  • Knowledge of constants such as electron mass and charge
  • Basic principles of quantum mechanics related to hydrogen atom energy levels
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Homework Statement



Find the kinetic energy of an electron in the lowest allowed energy state of a hydrogen atom.

Homework Equations



E = \frac{mv^2}{2} = \frac{mq^4}{2(4\pi\epsilon_0)^2n^2\hbar^2}

The Attempt at a Solution



m = 9.11* 10^(-31) kg
q = 1.6 * 10^(-19) C
pi = 3.14
n = 1
hbar = 6.59 * 10^(-16) eV * s

Are the values I chose correct?
Next Problem:

Homework Statement



Find the kinetic energy of a free electron, initially at rest at the back of a cathode ray tube, accelerated through a potential of 10kV to strike the phosphor layer.

Homework Equations



E = \frac{mv^2}{2} = \frac{mq^4}{2(4\pi\epsilon_0)^2n^2\hbar^2}

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm not too sure how to relate KE and potential.

I know that Total Energy = Potential E + Kinetic E, but I don't know Total Energy in order to use that generalized equation.

The next thing I thought was to use Epotential = Evacuum - \frac{q^2}{4\pi\epislon_0r}, but wasn't sure how to take into account the 10kV. Any help?
 
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For the second question, the kinetic energy gained by an electron passing through 1 volt of electrostatic potential is 1 eV, so a 10kV potential would yield an increase in kinetic energy of 10keV, right? What is the energy of the free electron before being accelerated through the potential?
 
EricVT said:
For the second question, the kinetic energy gained by an electron passing through 1 volt of electrostatic potential is 1 eV, so a 10kV potential would yield an increase in kinetic energy of 10keV, right? What is the energy of the free electron before being accelerated through the potential?

Well, for the electron BEFORE being accelerated would have no KE value. So, this would mean that the only KE gain would be the 10keV you described above?
 

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