The mass of the electron is 9.11 x 10-31 kg and the mass of the proton is 1.67 x 10-27kg. Both carry the same elementary charge (positive for the proton and negative for the electron). If I release both particles from rest at the middle point between two charged parallel plates in vacuum, which of the following is true?
Both reach the respectively oppositely charged plate at the same time
The electron strikes the positive plate first
The proton strikes the positive plate first
The electron strikes the negative plate first
The proton strikes the negative plate first
I'm guessing both reach the respectively oppositely charged plate at the same time
The electron is lighter but has the same force magnitude.
a = F/m
so electron accelerates faster.
It has a negative charge so goes to the positive plate.
To determine which particle will reach the respective plates first, we need to consider the forces acting on the electrons and protons.
The force experienced by a charged particle in an electric field is given by the formula F = qE, where F is the force, q is the charge of the particle, and E is the electric field strength.
Since the electron and proton carry the same elementary charge, their forces will be equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction. The electric field between the parallel plates will cause the electrons to be accelerated towards the positive plate and the protons towards the negative plate.
The acceleration of an object is given by the formula a = F/m, where a is the acceleration, F is the force, and m is the mass of the object.
Comparing the masses of the electron and proton, we can see that the proton is about 1836 times more massive than the electron. Therefore, the proton will experience a much smaller acceleration compared to the electron for the same force.
As a result, the electron will reach the positive plate before the proton reaches the negative plate. In other words, the correct answer is:
"The electron strikes the positive plate first."
Therefore, both options "Both reach the respectively oppositely charged plate at the same time" and "The proton strikes the positive plate first" are incorrect.