Velocity of an electron and Conservation of energy

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an electron moving between charged conducting plates in a uniform electric field. The context includes the application of conservation of energy principles to determine the final velocity of the electron as it strikes the opposite plate.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of conservation of energy, questioning how to relate work done by the electric field to changes in kinetic and potential energy. There are attempts to calculate work done and its implications for energy changes.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem and the equations involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between work, kinetic energy, and potential energy, but there is no clear consensus on the correct approach or calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of confusion regarding the problem statement and the numbers used in calculations. Participants are also addressing the relevance of certain equations and values in the context of the original problem.

kevnm67
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Homework Statement


A pair of charged conducting plates produces a uniform field of 12,000 N/C directed to the right, between the plates. The separation of the plates is 40 mm. In the figure, an electron is projected from plate A, directly toward plate B, with an initial velocity of 2.0 x 10^7 m/s.
A) The velocity of the electron as it strikes plate B is closest to:

Homework Equations



Conservation of energy

The Attempt at a Solution


Equation: qV= 1/2mv2 My answer: 1.3x10^7m/s
I tried the equation above based on what I gathered from my book but I am suppose to get 1.5x107 How do I use the conservation of energy to get this answer? Thanks for your help
 
Last edited:
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kevnm67 said:
How do I use the conservation of energy to get this answer?
If no external work were done, there would be no change in total energy. But work is being done, which increases the total energy. Set the work done equal to the change in total energy (which is the sum of PE and KE).
 
kevnm67 said:
So Work=qED or (1.6x10-19)(12000)(.04)= 7.68x10-17?
Not relevant. (And I have no idea where you're getting the numbers from--they weren't in your problem statement.)
and W= KE+PE
This is the only one you need.
PE= kqq/r
Not relevant.

kevnm67 said:
I tried the equation above based on what I gathered from my book but I am suppose to get 1.5x107
FYI, this answer is not correct. Why do you think it is?
 
kevnm67 said:
I got the first one saying W = qED and plugged it in being you mentioned work being done and I thought that's what you use. 12000 is the charged produced and 1.6x10^-19 is the charge of an electron.
Are you sure you haven't mixed up this problem with a different one? See your first post.

W = KE + PE
Again, for this problem (the one in your first post) this is all you need. You are given W and KE, just solve for PE. (That really should be W = ΔKE + ΔPE.)
 
I copied the wrong problem..sorry. I am going to edit and delete my previous posts.
 

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