Solving Proton Acceleration & Velocity: Conservation of Energy

[fubag]

[SOLVED] Conservation of Energy

Homework Statement

A proton (charge e, mass = 1.67 * 10^-27 kg) accelerates from rest by crossing a potential difference V = 3.00 V

a.) Find the velocity v_0 it acquires?

(Suppose this proton, having initial velocity v_0 from part (a), moves from very away directly towards a stationary heavy ion which is singly charged, i.e. having the same charge as the proton, +e.)


b.) Find the distance r_min between the proton and the ion at the moment of closest approach?

c.) Find velocity v of a proton when it is at a distance r = 2r_min from the ion

Homework Equations

a = (q/m)E

V = kQ/r

V = E*d (parallel plate)

The Attempt at a Solution

I am literally stuck for part a into determining what it could be, it seems something is missing in the problem.

Please help.

Thanks!

 

[Shooting Star]

I am literally stuck for part a into determining what it could be, it seems something is missing in the problem.

What is the work done on a charge q when it goes from a point with potential V1 to a point with potential V2?

 

[fubag]

work done is the change in potential energy so (V2 - V1)*q?

I was wondering could I just integrate the equation a = (q/m)E into v = (q/m)*V? because electric field is the derivative of potential difference?

 

[Shooting Star]

work done is the change in potential energy so (V2 - V1)*q?

The change in KE is the work done. There's no need to integrate, since it is the potential difference which has been given.

I feel you should go through the basics once more by yourself.

 

[fubag]

I know change in potential energy = -Work

and that change in potential difference is the potential-energy change per unit charge...
so can't I just set Vq = U and then set that = (1/2)mv^2 and solve for v?

 

[Shooting Star]

That's the correct way.