How Far Does an Electron Travel Before Returning in an Electric Field?

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The discussion revolves around calculating how far an electron travels before returning to a charged line. The problem involves a line charge with a density of 2.0 pC/cm and an electron starting 1.0 cm away, moving at 1000 km/s. Participants suggest using conservation of energy and Gauss' theorem to determine the electric field around the line charge. The relevance of mass in kinetic and potential energy formulas is also highlighted. Overall, the focus is on applying these principles to solve the problem effectively.
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Homework Statement


A very long, thin straight line of charge has a constant charge density of 2.0 pC/cm. An electron is initially 1.0 cm from the line and moving away ( that is, perpendicular to the line ) with a speed of 1000 km/s. How far does the electron go before it comes back?


i can't seem to find the required equations in my textbook. any help would be great.
 
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Hi Zarrey! :smile:
Zarrey said:
A very long, thin straight line of charge has a constant charge density of 2.0 pC/cm. An electron is initially 1.0 cm from the line and moving away ( that is, perpendicular to the line ) with a speed of 1000 km/s. How far does the electron go before it comes back?

Use conservation of energy. :wink:

(same for your other thread)
 
wow lol. i can't believe i didnt know that. thank you for reminding me :D
 
Conservation of energy is different when dealing with electrons it seems. is mass relevent?
 
First, you need to find the field around the line of charge as a function of distance. Gauss' theorem wil do nicely do to the symmetry.
Then you can use the work-energy theorem.
 
Zarrey said:
Conservation of energy is different when dealing with electrons it seems.

no
is mass relevent?

mass always comes into the KE formula

mass is also relevant if it comes into the PE formula
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
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