Velocity of an Electron between Two Plate

AI Thread Summary
An electron accelerates between two parallel aluminum plates separated by 2.0 cm and subjected to a 200 V potential difference. The discussion focuses on calculating the electron's speed at various distances from the negative plate, utilizing the relationship between potential difference, electric field, and kinetic energy. The uniform electric field implies that the speed of the electron increases uniformly as it moves toward the positive plate. The potential difference across the entire distance is crucial for determining the electric field, which can be expressed as E = V/d. Understanding these principles allows for accurate calculations of the electron's velocity at specified points.
doggydan42
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Homework Statement


An electron enters a region between two large parallel plates made of aluminum separated by a distance of 2.0 cm and kept at a potential difference of 200 V. The electron enters through a small hole in the negative plate and moves toward the positive plate. At the time the electron is near the negative plate, its speed is Assume the electric field between the plates to be uniform, and find the speed of electron at (a) 0.10 cm, (b) 0.50 cm, (c) 1.0 cm, and (d) 1.5 cm from the negative plate, and (e) immediately before it hits the positive plate
Screen Shot 2017-09-16 at 7.11.26 PM.png


2. Homework Equations

If V is the potential difference and K is the kinetic energy, then
$$-q\Delta V = \Delta K = \frac{1}{2} m(v^2-v_0^2)
\\\Delta V = \int_{a}^b \vec E \bullet d{\vec l}$$

The Attempt at a Solution


To solve, I used the first formula. q is the charge of an electron, ##\Delta V## is given, and m would be the mass of an electron. Though my problem is that this means that the velocity does not depend on the distance from the plate.

Thank you in advance
 

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You are given the potential difference between the plates and told that the electric field is uniform between the plates. Your formula for ΔV is correct, but the integration limits a and b will change depending on where you are evaluating the velocity.
 
phyzguy said:
You are given the potential difference between the plates and told that the electric field is uniform between the plates. Your formula for ΔV is correct, but the integration limits a and b will change depending on where you are evaluating the velocity.

If the integration limits change, then what would be the potential difference the problem gave?

Would the potential difference be used to find the electric field across d, where d is the distance between the plates? Then, the potential difference becomes ##\Delta V = Er## for distance r from the negative plate.

Thank you in advance.
 
doggydan42 said:
If the integration limits change, then what would be the potential difference the problem gave?
The potential difference given in the problem is across the whole d=2cm distance between the plates, as shown by the arrows.

Would the potential difference be used to find the electric field across d, where d is the distance between the plates? Then, the potential difference becomes ##\Delta V = Er## for distance r from the negative plate.

Correct. In this case, what is E, given the potential difference V and the plate separation d?
 
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