Ion Thruster Question from Year 12

  • Thread starter Thread starter physicist101
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ion Thruster Year
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the potential difference in an ion thruster used for satellite speed adjustment, specifically focusing on the acceleration of positive xenon ions. The problem involves understanding the relationship between kinetic energy and electrical potential energy in the context of charged particles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conservation of energy as a potential approach, questioning how to relate the kinetic energy of the ion to the change in electrical potential energy. There is also a concern regarding the lack of equations provided in the original problem statement.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on using conservation of energy principles to frame the problem, while others express frustration over the initial lack of information. The discussion is ongoing, with attempts to clarify the necessary equations and concepts.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates uncertainty due to the absence of equations, and there is an assumption that the ions enter the acceleration region with negligible speed. The problem is set within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the resources available for solving it.

physicist101
Messages
4
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


An ion thruster may be used to change the speed of a satellite, through the emmisions of charged particles. Positive xenons ions are accelerated by the potential difference(deltaV) in the region between grid A and grid B as they move towards the right of the diagram.

Xenon ions have a mass of 2.2x10^(-25) kg and a charge of 1.6x10^(-19) C

The potential diffrence in the ion thruster in the region between grid A and grid B increases the speed of an ion by 44 km^(-1)

Calculate the potential difference between Grid A and grid B. (assume that the ions enters the region between the grids with neglible speeds).

Homework Equations



we don't know!

The Attempt at a Solution



sure... with no equations? HELP!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
to the eight ppl who looked at it...yes we would like an answer
 
How about using conservation of energy. Assume a Xe ion starts at rest, and must be accelerated to a speed of 44 km/s. What is the kinetic energy of the ion at the exit? What is the change in electrical potential energy of the ion?
 
thanks astronuc, helped a heap.
 

Similar threads

Ion moving through electric potential difference and magnetic field
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Speed, force, magnetic flux of an ion?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Charges of ions in a mass spectrometer
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Minimum force to separate two oppositely-charged ions
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Circular Motion in a Simple Mass Spectrometer
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
How Is Current Calculated in a Mass Spectrometer?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Infinite chain of alternating charges (+/-)
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
4K
Calculate the number of sodium ions entering an non-myelinated axon
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
7K
V required so ions passing through the region don't devitate
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
4K
Does Electric Potential Energy Depend on the Mass of an Ion?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K