A proton is released at the origin in a constant electric field of 850 N/C acting in the positive x-direction. Find the change in the electric potential energy associated with the proton after it travels to x 5 2.5 m. (a) 3.4 3 10216 J (b) 23.4 3 10216 J (c) 2.5 3 10216 J (d) 22.5 3 10216 J (e) 21.6 3 10219 J
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Textbook Solutions for College Physics
Question
A proton is located at the origin, and a second proton is located on the x-axis at x 5 6.00 fm (1 fm 5 10215 m). (a) Calculate the electric potential energy associated with this configuration. (b) An alpha particle (charge 5 2e, mass 5 6.64 3 10227 kg) is now placed at (x, y) 5 (3.00, 3.00) fm. Calculate the electric potential energy associated with this configuration. (c) Starting with the three-particle system, find the change in electric potential energy if the alpha particle is allowed to escape to infinity while the two protons remain fixed in place. (Throughout, neglect any radiation effects.) (d) Use conservation of energy to calculate the speed of the alpha particle at infinity. (e) If the two protons are released from rest and the alpha particle remains fixed, calculate the speed of the protons at infinity.
Solution
The first step in solving 16 problem number trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: A proton is located at the origin, and a second proton is located on the x-axis at x 5 6.00 fm (1 fm 5 10215 m). (a) Calculate the electric potential energy associated with this configuration. (b) An alpha particle (charge 5 2e, mass 5 6.64 3 10227 kg) is now placed at (x, y) 5 (3.00, 3.00) fm. Calculate the electric potential energy associated with this configuration. (c) Starting with the three-particle system, find the change in electric potential energy if the alpha particle is allowed to escape to infinity while the two protons remain fixed in place. (Throughout, neglect any radiation effects.) (d) Use conservation of energy to calculate the speed of the alpha particle at infinity. (e) If the two protons are released from rest and the alpha particle remains fixed, calculate the speed of the protons at infinity.
From the textbook chapter Multiple Choice Questions you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
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