Calculate the speed of the electrons as they enter the gap

In summary, two parallel metal sheets with a length of 10 cm and a separation of 20 mm in a vacuum are used in an experiment with a beam of electrons entering symmetrically between them. When a PD of 1000 V is applied between the plates, the electron beam just misses one of the plates as it emerges. To calculate the speed of the electrons as they enter the gap, the formula 0.5mv^2 = eE is used, with the value of e/m being 1.8 * 1011 C kg-1. However, this formula does not take into account the length and separation of the plates. The problem is then compared to throwing a ball horizontally from the top of a building,
  • #36
moenste said:
sy = v t + (1 / 2) a t2 = v t + (1 / 2) (V / d) (e / m) t2

Since v = 0 then: sy = (1 / 2) (V / d) (e / m) t2.

sy = 20 mm / 0.02 m.

You're trying to find the time it takes the electron to be forced down from half way between the plates to the bottom plate. So, that's ##s_y = d/2##, where ##d## is the distance between the plates. This gives:

##d/2 = (1/2)(V/d)(e/m)t^2##

Can you solve that for ##t##?
 
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  • #37
PeroK said:
You're trying to find the time it takes the electron to be forced down from half way between the plates to the bottom plate. So, that's ##s_y = d/2##, where ##d## is the distance between the plates. This gives:

##d/2 = (1/2)(V/d)(e/m)t^2##

Can you solve that for ##t##?
t = √ d2 m / v e
t = d √ m / v e
 
  • #38
moenste said:
t = √ d2 m / v e
t = d √ m / v e

You're nearly there! You need an equation for ##u## - the electron's horizontal motion - now. This would should be simpler.
 
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  • #39
PeroK said:
You're nearly there! You need an equation for ##u## - the electron's horizontal motion - now. This would should be simpler.
x = v t?
 
  • #40
moenste said:
x = v t?

And what is ##x## in this case? How far does the electron travel horizontally in time ##t##?
 
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  • #41
PeroK said:
And what is ##x## in this case? How far does the electron travel horizontally in time ##t##?
Horizontal component of velocity?

s = v t
where s = 5 d
v = 5 d / t?
 
  • #42
moenste said:
Horizontal component of velocity?

s = v t
where s = 5 d
v = 5 d / t?

Exactly. So, you just need to substitute the equation you have for ##t## now.
 
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  • #43
PeroK said:
Exactly. So, you just need to substitute the equation you have for ##t## now.
t = 5 d / v

d √ m / V e = 5 d / v
d v √ m / V e = 5 d
v √ m / V e = 5
v = 5 / √ m / V e
v2 = 25 V e / m
v = 5 √ V e / m = 5 √ 1000 * 1.8 * 1011 = 67 082 039 m s-1.

This should be correct.

---

Thank you all!
 
  • #44
moenste said:
t = 5 d / v

d √ m / V e = 5 d / v
d v √ m / V e = 5 d
v √ m / V e = 5
v = 5 / √ m / V e
v2 = 25 V e / m
v = 5 √ V e / m = 5 √ 1000 * 1.8 * 1011 = 67 082 039 m s-1.

This should be correct.

---

Thank you all!

Yes, well done - you got there finally. Just one point. You had:

##vt = 5d## and ##t = d\sqrt{\frac{m}{Ve}}##

so:

##vd\sqrt{\frac{m}{Ve}} = 5d##

##v = 5\sqrt{\frac{Ve}{m}}##

was simpler.

Also, you should round your answer to ##v = 6.7 \times 10^7 ms^{-1}##
 
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