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Ch 23: Electric Potential
Chapter 23, Problem 23

An electron is to be accelerated from 3.00x10^6 m/s to 8.00x10^6 m/s. (a) Through what potential difference must the electron pass to accomplish this?

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Calculate the initial kinetic energy (KE_i) of the electron using the formula KE_i = \frac{1}{2} m v_i^2, where m is the mass of the electron (9.11 \times 10^{-31} kg) and v_i is the initial velocity (3.00 \times 10^6 m/s).
Calculate the final kinetic energy (KE_f) of the electron using the formula KE_f = \frac{1}{2} m v_f^2, where v_f is the final velocity (8.00 \times 10^6 m/s).
Determine the change in kinetic energy (\Delta KE) by subtracting the initial kinetic energy from the final kinetic energy, \Delta KE = KE_f - KE_i.
Use the relationship between the change in kinetic energy and the potential difference (V) the electron moves through, which is given by \Delta KE = qV, where q is the charge of the electron (-1.60 \times 10^{-19} C).
Solve for the potential difference (V) by rearranging the equation to V = \frac{\Delta KE}{q}. Remember to consider the sign of the electron's charge when determining the direction of acceleration.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion, calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 mv^2, where m is mass and v is velocity. In the context of the question, the change in kinetic energy of the electron as it accelerates from one speed to another is crucial for determining the potential difference it must pass through.
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Electric Potential Difference

Electric potential difference, or voltage, is the work done per unit charge to move a charge between two points in an electric field. It is related to the change in kinetic energy of the electron, as the work done by the electric field on the electron is equal to the change in its kinetic energy, allowing us to calculate the required potential difference.
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Conservation of Energy

The principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. In this scenario, the electrical energy provided by the potential difference is converted into kinetic energy as the electron accelerates, allowing us to relate the initial and final kinetic energies to the potential difference.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Two point charges q_1 = +2.40 nC and q_2 = -6.50 nC are 0.100 m apart. Point A is midway between them; point B is 0.080 m from q_1 and 0.060 m from q_2 (Fig. E23.19). Take the electric potential to be zero at infinity. Find (a) the potential at point A.

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Textbook Question
Two point charges q_1 = +2.40 nC and q_2 = -6.50 nC are 0.100 m apart. Point A is midway between them; point B is 0.080 m from q_1 and 0.060 m from q_2 (Fig. E23.19). Take the electric potential to be zero at infinity. Find (b) the potential at point B.

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Textbook Question
At a certain distance from a point charge, the poten-tial and electric-field magnitude due to that charge are 4.98 V and 16.2 V/m, respectively. (Take V = 0 at infinity.) (a) What is the distance to the point charge?
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Textbook Question
At a certain distance from a point charge, the poten-tial and electric-field magnitude due to that charge are 4.98 V and 16.2 V/m, respectively. (Take V = 0 at infinity.) (b) What is the magnitude of the charge?
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Textbook Question
At a certain distance from a point charge, the poten-tial and electric-field magnitude due to that charge are 4.98 V and 16.2 V/m, respectively. (Take V = 0 at infinity.) (c) Is the electric field directed toward or away from the point charge?
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Textbook Question
An infinitely long line of charge has linear charge den­sity 5.00x10^-12 C/m. A proton (mass 1.67x10^-27 kg, charge +1.60x10^-19 C) is 18.0 cm from the line and moving directly toward the line at 3.50x10^3 m/s. (a) Calculate the proton's initial kinetic energy.
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