If an electron is accelerated from rest through a potential difference of 1500 V, what speed does it reach? (e = 1.60 × 10^-19C , m_electron = 9.11 × 10^-31 kg)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The kinetic energy gained by the electron is equal to the work done on it by the electric field, which is eV. Using the equation $ \frac{1}{2}mv^2 = eV $, we can solve for v: $ v = \sqrt{\frac{2eV}{m}} $. Substituting the given values, $ v = \sqrt{\frac{2 \times 1.60 \times 10^{-19} \times 1500}{9.11 \times 10^{-31}}} \approx 2.3 \times 10^7 $ m/s.

If an Electron Is Accelerated from Rest Through a Potential