A free electron and a free proton are placed in an identical electric field. Compare the electric force on each particle. How do their accelerations compare?
2007-02-20 13:13:55 · 2 answers · asked by socom_lover 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The MAGNITUDES of the forces on each would be the same, because it is a function of charge.
I confess to having forgotten my E&M, but would think the direction of the force would be opposite, since the charges are opposite.
The direction of the force and the direction of the acceleration are identical, by definition.
The magnitude of the acceleration is the magnitude of the force divided by mass, so the electron would undergo much more acceleration than the proton would.
2007-02-20 14:18:09 · answer #1 · answered by Curt Monash 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The force on each particle should be the same from Newton's Third law, for every action is an equal and opposite reaction. The accelerations are directly proportional force applied and indirectly proportional to the mass of the objects according to Newton's First law. The electron would move more since it's mass is less than that of a proton.
mass of electron = 9.109 * 10^ -31 kg
mass of proton = 1.673 * 10^ -27 kg
2007-02-20 13:45:23 · answer #2 · answered by Aaron 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋