Proton, electron and coordinates

AI Thread 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.
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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
 
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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)
 
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