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yungquark
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Homework Statement
Hello PF!
Got a two-part question involving calculating the electric force on a electron when placed in an electric field of 0.75N/C to the right, and the acceleration of said electron. Our values are E=0.75N/C, q=-1.6e^-19, m=9.1e^-31 (charge and mass of electron)
Homework Equations
For the force, F=Eq, for the acceleration, ma=Eq --> a=Eq/m
The Attempt at a Solution
Plugging numbers in gives a seemingly unreasonably small force (FE=1.2e^-19N) and unreasonably large acceleration (a=1.3e^11m/s^2). Is the value of the electrical field strength given too high? It seems so, as the acceleration is ~400x the speed of light. In another example we were given, E=1.1e^-8N/C, which gave a much more reasonable acceleration. I saw somewhere else on PF that the unreasonably high acceleration was plausible when applied through relativity and that the working was right (example was with a proton), but I'm convinced I've done this wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Apologies for any formatting errors; I have read over guidelines and will be stricter on these in future