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The practical limit to an electric field in air is about\(3.00 \times {10^6}{\rm{ N}}/{\rm{C}}\). Above this strength, sparking takes place because air begins to ionize and charges flow, reducing the field. (a) Calculate the distance a free proton must travel in this field to reach\(3.00\% \)of the speed of light, starting from rest. (b) Is this practical in air, or must it occur in a vacuum?

Short Answer

Expert verified

(a) The distance traveled by a free proton is\(0.141{\rm{ m}}\).

(b) No, it is impractical in air.

Step by step solution

01

Acceleration of the proton

When any charged particle is placed in an electric field, the field causes an acceleration in the particle.

The electrostatic field acting on the particle in the field is,

\({F_e} = qE\)

Here,\(q\)is the charge on the proton and\(E\)is the electric field.

The force acting on proton causes the acceleration of the proton. The force is,

\(F = ma\)

Here,\(m\)is the mass of the electron, and\(a\)is the acceleration of the electron.

Since, the electrostatic force is responsible for the acceleration of the proton. Therefore,

\(ma = qE\)

Rearranging the above expression to get an expression for the acceleration of the proton.

\(a = \frac{{qE}}{m}\)

02

(a) Distance traveled by the proton

The final velocity of the proton is 3.00% of the speed of the light. Thus,

\(\begin{array}{c}v = \left( {3.00\% } \right)c\\ = \left( {3.00 \times \frac{1}{{100}}} \right)c\\ = 0.03c\end{array}\)

Here,\(c\)is the speed of light.

Third equation of the motion is,

\({v^2} = {u^2} + 2as\)

Here,\(v\)is the final velocity of the proton,\(u\)is the initial velocity of the proton (\(u = 0\)as the proton starts from the rest),\(a\)is the acceleration of the proton, and\(s\)is the distance traveled by the proton.

Using equation (1.1) and (1.2),

\({\left( {0.03c} \right)^2} = {\left( 0 \right)^2} + 2 \times \left( {\frac{{qE}}{m}} \right)s\)

Rearranging the above equation in order to get an expression for the distance traveled by the proton.

\(s = \frac{{{{\left( {0.03c} \right)}^2}m}}{{2qE}}\)

Substitute\(1.67 \times {10^{ - 27}}{\rm{ kg}}\)for\(m\),\(3.00 \times {10^8}{\rm{ m}}/{\rm{s}}\)for\(c\),\(1.6 \times {10^{ - 19}}{\rm{ C}}\)for\(q\), and\(3.00 \times {10^6}{\rm{ N}}/{\rm{C}}\)for\(E\).

\(\begin{array}{c}s = \frac{{{{\left[ {0.03 \times {{\left( {3.00 \times {{10}^8}{\rm{ m}}/{\rm{s}}} \right)}^2}} \right]}^2} \times \left( {1.67 \times {{10}^{ - 27}}{\rm{ kg}}} \right)}}{{2 \times \left( {1.6 \times {{10}^{ - 19}}{\rm{ C}}} \right)\left( {3.00 \times {{10}^6}{\rm{ N}}/{\rm{C}}} \right)}}\\ = 0.141{\rm{ m}}\end{array}\)

Hence, the distance traveled by a free proton is \(0.141{\rm{ m}}\).

03

(b) Practical in air

While traveling this distance, the proton will collide with many air particles.

Hence, this is not practical in air.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Figure 18.47 shows the electric field lines near two charges q1 and q2. What is the ratio of their magnitudes? (b) Sketch the electric field lines a long distance from the charges shown in the figure.

Figure 18.47 The electric field near two charges

A simple and common technique for accelerating electrons is shown in Figure 18.55, where there is a uniform electric field between two plates. Electrons are released, usually from a hot filament, near the negative plate, and there is a small hole in the positive plate that allows the electrons to continue moving. (a) Calculate the acceleration of the electron if the field strength is\(2.50 \times {10^4}{\rm{ N/C}}\). (b) Explain why the electron will not be pulled back to the positive plate once it moves through the hole.

Figure 18.55 Parallel conducting plates with opposite charges on them create a relatively uniform electric field used to accelerate electrons to the right. Those that go through the hole can be used to make a TV or computer screen glow or to produce X-rays.

A\(5.00{\rm{ g}}\)charged insulating ball hangs on a\(30.0{\rm{ cm}}\)long string in a uniform horizontal electric field as shown in Figure 18.56. Given the charge on the ball is\(1.00{\rm{ }}\mu {\rm{C}}\), find the strength of the field.

Figure 18.56 A horizontal electric field causes the charged ball to hang at an angle of\(8.00^\circ \).

Figure shows an electric field extending over three regions, labeled I, II, and III. Answer the following questions. (a) Are there any isolated charges? If so, in what region and what are their signs? (b) Where is the field strongest? (c) Where is it weakest? (d) Where is the field the most uniform?

Suppose a speck of dust in an electrostatic precipitator has 1.0000×1012 protons in it and has a net charge of -5.00 nC (a very large charge for a small speck). How many electrons does it have?

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