If you place a free electron and a free proton in the same electric field, how will the forces acting on them compare? 82. How will the accelerations of the proton and the electron in the preceding problem compare? 83. How will the directions of travel compare for the electron and the proton in the preceding problem?

Question

Karina Frazier

Physics

18 December, 14:33

If you place a free electron and a free proton in the same electric field, how will the forces acting on them compare? 82. How will the accelerations of the proton and the electron in the preceding problem compare? 83. How will the directions of travel compare for the electron and the proton in the preceding problem?

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Answers (1)

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Rylee Richmond · Answer 1

the force experienced by both particles will be of same magnitude as the magnitude of charge is same for both particles but with different sign, the acceleration of both particles will be same in magnitude but opposite in direction, the direction of free electron will be opposite to the direction of electric field whereas the direction of proton will be in the direction of electric field,

Explanation:

the force experienced by both particles can be calculated by the formula

F=|q|E

the acceleration can be calculated by Newton's 2nd law i. e F=ma

the direction of electric field is always towards the positive charge so proton will be directed towards electric field and free electron will be directed away from the electric field.