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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem concerning the motion of an electron and its interaction with an electric field, specifically how far it should be fired so that it stops before reaching a plate. The subject area includes concepts from kinematics and electromagnetism.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss calculations involving the electron's mass, charge, and kinetic energy, attempting to derive the stopping distance using both velocity and energy methods. There are questions regarding specific calculations and potential typos in the equations presented.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the calculations, with some participants suggesting alternative approaches and questioning the correctness of the original poster's results. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being considered, but no consensus has been reached on the correct answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential errors in calculations and discuss the implications of using energy versus velocity in their approaches. There is uncertainty about the expected answer to the problem.

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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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