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

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an electron in the vicinity of a long, thin line of charge with a specified charge density. The scenario describes the electron's initial conditions and queries how far it travels before returning, focusing on the effects of the electric field generated by the line of charge.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of conservation of energy and the work-energy theorem in the context of the electron's motion. There are questions regarding the relevance of mass in these equations and how it affects kinetic and potential energy calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on using conservation of energy and Gauss' theorem to analyze the electric field. There is an ongoing exploration of how mass factors into the equations being discussed, with no clear consensus yet on the implications for the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need for specific equations related to the electric field and energy conservation, indicating potential gaps in the original poster's resources or understanding.

Zarrey
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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 relevant?
 
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 relevant?

mass always comes into the KE formula

mass is also relevant if it comes into the PE formula
 

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