What Is the Velocity of an Electron Between Capacitor Plates?

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The electric field is twice as strong.In summary, the electron starts at rest at the negative plate of a parallel plate capacitor with a charge per unit area of σ = 1.70E-7 C/m2 and plates separated by 1.59E-2 m. The electric field is twice as strong due to the two plates, and using the equations E = σ/2εo and F=q X E, the force on the electron is calculated to be 1.537E-15 N. By using the equation v2 - u2 = 2 a s = 2 (F/m) s, the final velocity of the electron is found to be 7.328E6 m/s.
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missyc8
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Homework Statement


An electron is released from rest at the negative plate of a parallel plate capacitor. The charge per unit area on each plate is σ = 1.70E-7 C/m2, and the plates are separated by a distance of 1.59E-2 m. How fast is the electron moving just before it reaches the positive plate?



Homework Equations


E = σ/2εo
F=q X E
v2 - u2 = 2 a s = 2 (F/m) s


The Attempt at a Solution


E= 1.70E-7/2(8.85E-12)= 9604.52 N/m

F= 1.6E-19 * 9604.52= 1.537E-15 N

v^2= 2(1.537E-15/9.1E-31)*1.59E-2
= 5.370E13...this is wrong...what am i doing wrong??
 
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  • #2
Did you remember to take the square root to get v instead of v²?
 
  • #3
yes, when i take the sq root, i get 7.328 E6 m/s...still not the answer!
 
  • #4
missyc8 said:

Homework Equations


E = σ/2εo
That formula is for a single plate. However, there are two plates here.
 

FAQ: What Is the Velocity of an Electron Between Capacitor Plates?

1. How do you measure the speed of an electron?

The speed of an electron can be measured using a variety of methods, such as the drift velocity in a conductor or the velocity in a particle accelerator. However, the most common method is to use the formula v = E/p, where v is the speed, E is the electric field, and p is the momentum of the electron.

2. What is the average speed of an electron?

The average speed of an electron varies depending on its location and environment. In a vacuum, an electron can reach speeds close to the speed of light, which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second. However, in a conductor, the average speed is much slower, typically around 0.01 meters per second.

3. Can an electron move faster than the speed of light?

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light in a vacuum. As electrons are particles with mass, they are subject to this rule and cannot travel faster than the speed of light.

4. How does the speed of an electron affect its behavior?

The speed of an electron has a significant impact on its behavior. For example, in particle accelerators, where electrons are accelerated to near-light speeds, their behavior changes drastically, and they can exhibit properties of both particles and waves. Additionally, the speed of an electron affects its ability to conduct electricity, as faster-moving electrons can carry more charge in a given amount of time.

5. Does temperature affect the speed of an electron?

Temperature does not directly affect the speed of an electron. However, it can impact the average speed of electrons in a material. At higher temperatures, the electrons in a material will have more thermal energy, which can increase their random motion and, therefore, their average speed. However, this does not change the maximum speed an electron can reach in a vacuum.

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