Question

A proton is released from rest inside a region of constant, uniform electric field 1 pointing due north.

29.8 s after it is released, the electric field instantaneously changes to a constant, uniform electric field 2 pointing due south. 7.65 s after the field changes, the proton has returned to its starting point. What is the ratio of the magnitude of 2 to the magnitude of 1? You may neglect the effects of gravity on the proton

Answer 1

The ratio of the magnitude of 2 to the magnitude of 1 is 1:1

Step-by-step explanation:

The proton is released in an electric field pointing due north and, 29.8 seconds later, the field changes to a constant, uniform electric field pointing due south. 7.65 seconds after the field changes, the proton has returned to its starting point.

The proton was initially at rest and the electric field caused it to accelerate. The proton's acceleration is directly proportional to the electric field and inversely proportional to its mass.

The proton is acted on by two fields with opposite direction, which means that the net acceleration is zero. Therefore, the ratio of the magnitude of electric field 2 to the magnitude of electric field 1 is 1:1

The ratio of the magnitude of 2 to the magnitude of 1 is 1:1