How far should an electron be fired so it stops before reaching the plate?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the distance an electron should be fired before it stops before reaching a plate, using fundamental physics equations. The user initially calculated the velocity of the electron using kinetic energy and derived a stopping distance of 0.001475 meters. However, discrepancies arose regarding the calculations, particularly the velocity formula and energy considerations. Participants confirmed the calculations but suggested focusing on energy rather than velocity for clarity.

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Homework Statement
In the figure below an electron is shot directly toward the center of a large metal plate that has surface charge density -1.20 × 10^-6 C/m2. If the initial kinetic energy of the electron is 1.60 × 10^-17 J and if the electron is to stop (due to electrostatic repulsion from the plate) just as it reaches the plate, how far from the plate must the launch point be?
Relevant Equations
F=ma
E=(1/2)mV^2
I am trying to solve the following problem:

Screen Shot 2019-09-09 at 9.07.22 PM.png

My attempt at the problem:

$$m = 9.11 * 10^{-31}kg$$
$$q = 1.6 * 10^{-19} C$$

$$V_0 = \sqrt{\frac{2KE}{m}} = \sqrt{\frac{2 * 1.6 * 10^{-17}}{1.6 * 10^{-19}}} = 5,926,739 m/s$$
$$F_{net} = -F_{e} = ma$$
$$a = \frac{-F_{e}}{m} = ma$$
$$E = \frac{\phi}{2\epsilon_0}$$
$$F_e = \frac{E}{q} = \frac{\phi}{2\epsilon_0q}$$
$$a = -\frac{q\phi}{2m\epsilon_0} = \frac{1.6 * 10^{-19} * -1.20 * 10^{-6}}{2 * 9.11 * 10^{-31} * 8.85 * 10^{-12}} = -1.191 * 10^{16} m/s^2$$
$$V_f^2 = V_0^2 + 2ad$$
$$V_f = 0$$
$$-2ad = V_0^2$$
$$d = \frac{V_0^2}{2a} = -\frac{5,926,739}{2 * -1.191 * 10^{16}} = 0.001475m$$

I got that the answer is 0.001475m, but this is not correct. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?
 
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What is ##\frac{10^{-17}}{10^{-19}}##?
But you are making work for yourself in finding the velocity. Just deal with energy.
 
haruspex said:
What is ##\frac{10^{-17}}{10^{-19}}##?
But you are making work for yourself in finding the velocity. Just deal with energy.
that's a typo, should be:
$$\sqrt{\frac{2 * 1.6 * 10^{-17}}{9.11 * 10^{-31}}} = 5,936,739$$

I've dealt with energy and I get the same thing. Either way, it should work with velocity.
 
Fontseeker said:
that's a typo, should be:
$$\sqrt{\frac{2 * 1.6 * 10^{-17}}{9.11 * 10^{-31}}} = 5,936,739$$

I've dealt with energy and I get the same thing. Either way, it should work with velocity.
Yes, I'm getting the same answer.
Do you know what the supposed answer is?
 

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