How Far Does a Moving Electron Get From a Fixed Electron When It Stops?

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The discussion centers on a physics problem involving a moving electron approaching a fixed electron, initially 1mm apart with a velocity of 1000 cm/s. The calculated distance between the two electrons when the moving one comes to rest is stated to be 0.5 mm, based on energy conservation principles. Participants express skepticism about the problem's assumptions, particularly the unrealistic portrayal of electrons as fixed objects and the simplification of complex interactions. The conversation highlights the importance of considering kinetic energy and electrostatic potential energy in solving such problems, while also questioning the validity of the provided figures. Ultimately, the problem raises concerns about its formulation and the accuracy of the proposed solution.
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hi.
i want to ask one problem about electrostaics.
i will be very thankful to u if u post reply about this question.

Suppose we have one moving electron ,approaching towards a fixed electron.
If they 1mm apart when the moving electron has the velocity of 1000cm/s.
How far will be the moving electron from the fixed electron when it comes to the rest.

mass of electron=9.1E-31 Kg
charge of electron =1.6E-19 C

Answer=.5 mm
 
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HINT: Energy is conserved!
 
salman_upright said:
hi.
i want to ask one problem about electrostaics.
i will be very thankful to u if u post reply about this question.
Suppose we have one moving electron ,approaching towards a fixed electron.
If they 1mm apart when the moving electron has the velocity of 1000cm/s.
How far will be the moving electron from the fixed electron when it comes to the rest.
mass of electron=9.1E-31 Kg
charge of electron =1.6E-19 C
Answer=.5 mm

Though the problem is absurd (it assumes the electrons as bowling balls,one of them being fixed (probably some "intelligent"dude stuck it with glue :-p )) as (probably) implies electrostatic interaction when it actually ain't,i'll say that the answer can be found out applying the old famous energy conseration law,since that old & tired looking Coulomb potential comes from a conservative force .

Daniel.

PS.I guess the only challanging fact about this problem is trying not to laugh whe reading its text. :wink:
 
... implies electrostatic interaction when it actually ain't

Hmm. 1 esu, 1000 cm/s, 1 mm - does that suggest to you that radiation, quantum, relativistic and space warping effects are significant? Get back to us when you've carried out the calculation to 137 signficant digits. :wink:
 
Tide said:
Hmm. 1 esu, 1000 cm/s, 1 mm - does that suggest to you that radiation, quantum, relativistic and space warping effects are significant? Get back to us when you've carried out the calculation to 137 signficant digits. :wink:

U got me there,Tide... :biggrin: But at least it shouldn't have called them "electrons",but "electrically charged bowling balls".And should have given reasonable figures for mass and charge.

Daniel.

PS.I knew QED only stopped at 12 significant digits. :smile: IIi guess u saw me a relative of Super(machine gun :smile: )man... :wink:
 
don't be smart ok
give me the solution man
 
Well, first, you should be posting your homework problems in the homework section and, second, you should be telling us exactly what YOU have tried so far on the problem. I think it's a bit over the top to DEMAND a solution to YOUR problem from people who give freely of their time and knowledge. Moreover, you've already been given the key hint to actually solving the problem yourself.
 
The moving electron should have a initial kinetic energy. This kinetic energy will need to be dissipated by electromotive repulsion, EMF. Should be easy enough.
 
salman_upright said:
hi.
i want to ask one problem about electrostaics.
i will be very thankful to u if u post reply about this question.

Suppose we have one moving electron ,approaching towards a fixed electron.
If they 1mm apart when the moving electron has the velocity of 1000cm/s.
How far will be the moving electron from the fixed electron when it comes to the rest.

mass of electron=9.1E-31 Kg
charge of electron =1.6E-19 C

Answer=.5 mm
U_i + KE_i = U_f + KE_f

KE_i = \frac{1}{2}m_ev^2

KE_f = 0

U_i = \frac{kQ_e^2}{d_i}

U_f = \frac{kQ_e^2}{d_{min}}

So:

d_{min} =\frac{kQ_e^2}{kQ_e^2/d_i + \frac{1}{2}m_ev^2}

d_{min} =\frac{d_i}{1 + \frac{d_im_ev^2}{2kQ_e^2}}

Plug in the numbers and what do you get?

For kQ_e^2 I get 23.04E-29 Jm
For \frac{1}{2}m_ev^2 I get 4.55E-29 J.

So I would say that there is something wrong with the question if the answer is .5 mm.

AM
 
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