Finding the Minimum Kinetic Energy of Electrons in an Electric Field

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nks27
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Homework Statement



Two metal plates, PQ AND RS are separated by a distance of 15 mm.
PQ maintained at potential of +100V relative to RS.
Beam of electrons of different kinetic energies directed a slit ,on plate PQ, at angle of 60 degrees to plate.
To find the K.E of electrons that 'just' reach the plate RS.


Homework Equations



work done by electric field = K.E of electrons

k.E = qV


The Attempt at a Solution



i can't figure how to work this out
Should potential energy also be considered?
Is my attempt at the question wrong?
 
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Hi nks27! Welcome to PF :smile:

nks27 said:

Homework Statement



Two metal plates, PQ AND RS are separated by a distance of 15 mm.
PQ maintained at potential of +100V relative to RS.
Beam of electrons of different kinetic energies directed a slit ,on plate PQ, at angle of 60 degrees to plate.
To find the K.E of electrons that 'just' reach the plate RS.


Homework Equations



work done by electric field = K.E of electrons

k.E = qV


The Attempt at a Solution



i can't figure how to work this out
Should potential energy also be considered?
Is my attempt at the question wrong?

I believe you want to use the energy conservation principle. So yes, you do need to include potential energy...
 
i the use this formula

work done
against electric = K.E + P.E
field
K.E = work done - P.E

= qV - q/(4πεₒr)

but i don't get the answer.
Cud u please correct my careless mistake if there's any?
 
nks27 said:
i the use this formula

work done
against electric = K.E + P.E
field

From where did you get potential energy?
Instead using the energy conservation, you can use the equations of motion too. :wink:
 
nks27 said:
i the use this formula

work done
against electric = K.E + P.E
field
K.E = work done - P.E

= qV - q/(4πεₒr)

but i don't get the answer.
Cud u please correct my careless mistake if there's any?

Umm no. How did you get q/(4πεₒr)??


The kinetic energy change will result in potential energy. Now, for the minimum kinetic energy you need the final velocity to have no x component(assuming vertical plates). So you have,

[tex]\frac{1}{2}m(v_x)^2 +\frac{1}{2}m(v_y)^2 = qV + \frac{1}{2}m(v_y)^2[/tex]
 
Pranav-Arora said:
From where did you get potential energy?
Instead using the energy conservation, you can use the equations of motion too. :wink:

I would prefer conservation of energy, but this method works too :smile:
 
Infinitum said:
Umm no. How did you get q/(4πεₒr)??


The kinetic energy change will result in potential energy. Now, for the minimum kinetic energy you need the final velocity to have no x component(assuming vertical plates). So you have,

[tex]\frac{1}{2}m(v_x)^2 +\frac{1}{2}m(v_y)^2 = qV + \frac{1}{2}m(v_y)^2[/tex]


sorry for late post.
substituting v_x = vcos60
and v_y = vsin60

q= 1.6 X 10^-19 and V= 100 V


i get v^2 to be 1.41 X 10^14

using it to calculate the k.E doesn't give the right answer :(


the " q/(4πεₒr) " was for electric potential .