Question

in the figure, a particle is to be released at rest at point a and then is to be accelerated directly through point b by an electric field. the potential difference between points a and b is 100 v. which point should be at higher electric potential if the particle is (a) an electron, (b) a proton, and (c) an alpha particle (a nucleus of two protons and two neutrons)? (d) rank the kinetic energies of the particles at point b, greatest first.

Answer 1

The point with higher electric potential for an electron is point a, for a proton and an alpha particle it is point b. The kinetic energy at point b is highest for the alpha particle, followed by the proton, and then the electron.

Step-by-step explanation:

The point at higher electric potential will have a higher voltage or electric potential energy.

Since the potential difference between points a and b is 100 V, we can determine which point has higher electric potential for the given particles.

(a) For an electron, which has a negative charge, the point with higher electric potential will be point a. Electrons move from areas of higher electric potential to areas of lower electric potential.

(b) For a proton, which has a positive charge, the point with higher electric potential will be point b. Protons move from areas of lower electric potential to areas of higher electric potential.

(c) For an alpha particle, which has a positive charge, the point with higher electric potential will also be point b for the same reasons as the proton.

(d) The rank of the kinetic energies of the particles at point b, from greatest to least, would be alpha particle, proton, and electron.

The alpha particle, being more massive, will have the highest kinetic energy, followed by the proton, and then the electron.