Question

What If? Fluoride ions (which have the same charge as an electron) are initially moving with the same speed as the electrons from part (a) through a different uniform electric field. The ions come to a stop in the same distance d. Let the mass of an ion be M and the mass of an electron be m. Find the ratio of the magnitude of electric field the ions travel through to the magnitude of the electric field found in part (a). (Use the following as necessary: d, K, m, M, and e for the charge of the electron.)

Answer 1

Answer:

E₁ / E₂ = M / m

Explanation:

Let the electric field be E₁ and E₂ for ions and electrons respectively .

Force on ions = E₁ e where e is charge on ions .

Acceleration on ions a = E₁ e / M . Let initial velocity of both be u . Final velocity v = 0

v² = u² - 2as

0 = u² - 2 x E₁ e d  / M  

u² = 2 x E₁ e d  / M

Similarly for electrons

u² = 2 x E₂ e d  / m

Hence

2 x E₁ e d  / M =  2 x E₂ e d  / m

E₁ / E₂ = M / m