What is the acceleration of an electron in an electric field?

[charmedbeauty]

Homework Statement

An electron with initial velocity vx0 =1.0 *10^4 m/s enters a region of width 1.0 cm where its electrically accelerated. it emerges with velocity vx = 4.0 *10^6
what was its acceleration, assumed constant?

Homework Equations

F = ma
v^2 = u^2 + 2as

The Attempt at a Solution

Well I thought I would try this

(v^2 - u^2)/2s =a

but this did not work.

Im guessing I am going to need to find E?

But don't know how to do this with given information.

can someone point me in the direction of the formula needed for the question?

thanks!

 

[QuarkCharmer]

I don't think you need to actually find the field. You can think of this one as a conservation problem where it's final kinetic energy is using the final velocity and so on. You do know the mass of the electron afterall?

As far as the 1cm goes, do they specify that to be the width, as in, the x-component (the direction the electron is traveling?) or is it 1cm as in, the width of a loop or wire or something that it travels through? In which case, it's length would be mostly arbitrary and you could treat it as an instantaneous point where the velocity changes.

 

[charmedbeauty]

I don't think you need to actually find the field. You can think of this one as a conservation problem where it's final kinetic energy is using the final velocity and so on. You do know the mass of the electron afterall?

As far as the 1cm goes, do they specify that to be the width, as in, the x-component (the direction the electron is traveling?) or is it 1cm as in, the width of a loop or wire or something that it travels through? In which case, it's length would be mostly arbitrary and you could treat it as an instantaneous point where the velocity changes.

not sure about the width I think it is in the x direction
as for the kinetic energy and conservation how do I link 1/2 m v^2 to acceleration?

 

[QuarkCharmer]

not sure about the width I think it is in the x direction
as for the kinetic energy and conservation how do I link 1/2 m v^2 to acceleration?

Well, what's potential energy in an electric field?

 

[vivekrai]

I feel that you approach is correct. It's a kinematics type problem only. Some where you might be making mistake in units.

 

[charmedbeauty]

U = kQq/r
Still not understanding how that factors into 1/2 mv^2?