Question

Two very flat, metallic plates separated a distance d have a potential difference of 600 Volts between them as shown below. A proton and positron (which is a positively charged electron) are released from rest at the surface of the metal plate held at 600 Volts. Which of the following statement(s) is (are) correct?
I. The positron's acceleration is larger than the proton's acceleration.
II. The positron's acceleration is the same as the proton's acceleration.
III. The positron's acceleration is smaller than the proton's acceleration.
IV. The positron's kinetic energy will be larger than the proton's kinetic energy right before the particles hit the 0 Volt plate.
V. The positron's kinetic energy will be the same as the proton's kinetic energy right before the particles hit the 0 Volt plate.
VI. The positron's kinetic energy will be smaller than the proton's kinetic energy right before the particles hit the 0 Volt plate.

Answer 1

The acceleration of positron will be larger than that of proton

Explanation:

When proton or positron are released in between two parallel plates .

The force of proton = q E

here q is the charge and E is the electric field intensity between the plates

Thus m a = q E   or  a = q E/m ; here m is the mass of proton

Similarly the acceleration of positron = q E/m₀

here m₀ is the mass of positron

The mass of positron is much smaller than proton .

Thus acceleration of positron is much larger than that of proton.

The energy of proton = q V

here q is the charge on proton and V is the potential difference applied

Similarly , the energy of positron = q V

Here charge and potential on the positron is the same as that of proton .

Thus there energy will be same .