What is the magnitude of the acceleration of an electron

In summary, the conversation discusses the magnitude of acceleration of an electron in a uniform electric field, the time it takes for the electron to reach one-tenth the speed of light, and the distance it travels in that time. The correct values for acceleration and time are given, but when using the formula for distance traveled, the answer is incorrect. The conversation ends with thanks for a quick reply.
  • #1
athos
2
0
Please help on the last question. Most likely it's something simple, but I just can't see it. Thanks.
(a) What is the magnitude of the acceleration of an electron in a uniform electric field of 4.20 106 N/C?
a= 0.73x10^18 m/s2 (Correct)

(b) How long would it take for the electron, starting from rest, to attain one-tenth the speed of light?
t= 0.40x10^-10 s (Correct)

(c) How far would it travel in that time?
I applied d=at^2/2, with the above values for a and t, but it is not correct.

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
Maybe you are just doing the computation wrong. Everthing seems right, you should get the right answer...
 
  • #3
d=at^2/2=0.73x10^18x0.4x10^-10x0.4x10^-10/2=0.0584x10^-2= 0.000584 (m), but it comes back as incorrect. Thanks for quick reply.
 

Related to What is the magnitude of the acceleration of an electron

What is the magnitude of the acceleration of an electron?

The magnitude of the acceleration of an electron is approximately 9.8 x 10^18 meters per second squared, or 9.8 x 10^11 g's. This value is constant regardless of the electron's mass or initial velocity.

How is the magnitude of acceleration calculated?

The magnitude of acceleration can be calculated using the equation a = F/m, where a is the acceleration, F is the force acting on the electron, and m is the mass of the electron. In the case of an electron, the force is typically due to an electric field.

What factors affect the magnitude of acceleration for an electron?

The magnitude of acceleration for an electron is affected by the strength of the electric field and the mass of the electron. In a vacuum, the acceleration is also affected by the presence of other charged particles.

Can the magnitude of acceleration change?

Yes, the magnitude of acceleration can change if the electric field or mass of the electron changes. It can also be affected by external forces, such as collisions with other particles.

Why is the magnitude of acceleration important to understand?

The magnitude of acceleration is important to understand because it helps us understand the motion of electrons in electric fields and how they interact with other particles. It is also a fundamental concept in physics and is used to explain many phenomena in the natural world.

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