Question

What is the charge on a particle traveling between the two charged plates? How do you know? Would the particle most likely be a proton or electron? Why?

A) The charge is positive, and it's likely a proton because they are positively charged.
B) The charge is negative, and it's likely an electron because they are negatively charged.
C) The charge is positive, and it's likely an electron because they are negatively charged.
D) The charge is negative, and it's likely a proton because they are positively charged.

Answer 1

The charge on a particle between charged plates is positive if it moves toward the negative plate (likely a proton), and negative if it moves toward the positive plate (likely an electron). Options C and D are incorrect as they incorrectly assign charges to electrons and protons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The charge on a particle traveling between two charged plates can be determined by the direction of its acceleration. If the particle is accelerated towards the negatively charged plate, it carries a positive charge, and if it accelerates towards the positive plate, it carries a negative charge. Considering the fundamental particles, protons carry a positive charge and electrons carry a negative charge. Both protons and electrons carry an equal magnitude of charge, but of opposite signs. Therefore, the correct answer is either A) The charge is positive, and it's likely a proton because they are positively charged, or B) The charge is negative, and it's likely an electron because they are negatively charged. The other options C and D are incorrect as they mismatch the charges of electrons and protons.