Speed of an Electron in an Electric Field

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the final speed of an electron released from rest between two positive point charges. The problem involves using conservation of energy principles, where the initial potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as the electron moves. Relevant equations include those for electric potential from point charges and the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy. The user is guided to sum the electric potentials from both charges and apply energy conservation to find the final speed of the electron. The key takeaway is to carefully manage the signs and values in the equations to arrive at the correct final speed.
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Homework Statement



Two stationary positive point charges, charge 1 of magnitude 3.25 nC and charge 2 of magnitude 1.55nC , are separated by a distance of 57.0cm . An electron is released from rest at the point midway between the two charges, and it moves along the line connecting the two charges.

find Vfinal of the electron when it is 10.0 cm from charge 1 the want the final answer in m/s

i don't get any of this my professor went to fast. can anyone help?
 
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This looks like a conservation-of-energy problem.

The two relevant forms of energy are kinetic and electric potential.
 
do you know of any equations that could help me
 
HELLO11 said:
do you know of any equations that could help me

Your book or class notes will have an equation for the electric potential (or voltage) due to a point charge.

To get the net electric potential of the two stationary charges, add up the individual potentials of each of the two charges.

To get the potential energy, multiply electric potential times the charge on the electron. Watch the +/- signs carefully.
 
can anyone help me
 
q1 = 3.25 nC, q2 = 1.55nC, d = 0.570 m. charge of electron = q, a = 0.100 m, find the final speed of the electron, v = ?
initial kinetic energy Eki = 0, potential energy Epi = Kqq1/(d/2) + Kqq2/(d/2)
final kinetic energy Ekf = mv^2/2, potential energy Epf = Kqq1/a + Kqq2/(d-a)
energy conservation:
0 + Kqq1/(d/2) + Kqq2/(d/2) = mv^2/2 + Kqq1/a + Kqq2/(d-a)
solve for v.
 
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