Final answer:
The acceleration of an electron in a uniform electric field is calculated using the force experienced by the electron and its mass. By applying the equations a = F/m and F = qE, we find that the correct acceleration is 3.95 × 10^16 m/s^2, not the provided options.
Step-by-step explanation:
The acceleration of an electron caused by an electric field is determined by both the strength of the electric field and the charge of the electron. The equation a = F/m is used, where F is the force on the electron, and m is its mass. The force on the electron can be found using F = qE, where q is the charge of the electron and E is the strength of the electric field.
To find the acceleration, we first calculate the force: F = qE = (-1.60 × 10^-19 C) × (2.25 × 10^5 N/C) = -3.60 × 10^-14 N. The negative sign indicates that the force is in the direction opposite to the field, meaning the force and acceleration will oppose the initial velocity, as electrons have a negative charge.
Now, we use the electron's mass (9.11 × 10^-31 kg) to find the acceleration: a = F/m = (-3.60 × 10^-14 N) / (9.11 × 10^-31 kg) = -3.95 × 10^16 m/s^2. The acceleration of the electron is 3.95 × 10^16 m/s^2, which means the first choice from the list (1) 2.25 × 10^5 m/s^2 is the closest answer and appears to be a typo since the correct acceleration is not listed.