Proton, electron and coordinates

Click For Summary
A proton is positioned at (0,0) and an electron at (d,h) in a uniform electric field E directed positively along the y-axis. The problem states that the y-coordinates of both particles will equal at a certain point in time, with the correct answer identified as approximately y=d/2000. The relationship between their accelerations is established, showing that the electron's acceleration is about 1833 times greater than that of the proton. The final conclusion is that the y-coordinate where they meet can be expressed as y=h/2001, confirming the initial answer choice. Understanding the connection between the coordinates and the masses of the particles clarifies the solution.
21385
Messages
33
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A proton sits at coordinates (x,y) = (0,0), and an electron at (d,h), where d>>h. At time t=0, a uniform electric field E of unknown magnitude but pointing in the positive y direction is turned on. Assuming that d is large enough that the proton-electron interaction is negligible, the y coordinates of the two particles will be equal (at equal time)

a) at about y=d/2000;
b)at an undetermined value since E is unknown;
c)at about y=d/43;
d)nowhere: they move in opposite directions

Homework Equations


E=F/q
F=ma


The Attempt at a Solution


The correct answer is a) but I don't know why. I have no idea how the answer connects d, a x-coordinate, with the final y-coordinate.

This is my attempt::

E=F/q
Since the E is the same and the q is the same, the 2 Forces must be the same
(mass of electron)(acceleration of electron)=(mass of proton)(acceleration of the proton)
(acceleration of electron)=1833(acceleration of proton)

S=(0.5)(acceleration of electron)t^2+(0.5)(acceleration of proton)t^2
of course, S=h-0 or S=h, and (acceleration of electron)=1833(acceleration of proton)
h=(0.5)(1833a(proton))t^2+(0.5)(a(proton))t^2
a(proton)=h/(917t^2)
I have no idea how to go from there...please help
Thanks a lot
 
Physics news on Phys.org
21385 said:
The correct answer is a) but I don't know why. I have no idea how the answer connects d, a x-coordinate, with the final y-coordinate.
It makes no sense. I suspect a typo: The answers show "d" where they should show "h".
 
Thanks, Doc Al
I got the problem, and it is y=h/1834
 
this is quite easy actually. Since the time elapsed is the same, the ratio between their displacements should be the inverse of that between their mass which is about 2000(very rough approximation:-p ). So we get y=h/2001 so (a)
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
22
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
7K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
8K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
7K
Replies
2
Views
2K