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A particle ( m = 8mu*g . q = 6nC ) has a speed of 0m / s at point A and moves to point B where the electric potential is 2.0 kV greater than at point A. What is the particle's kinetic energy at point B? Only electric forces act on the particle during this motion.

User San
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We can solve this problem by using the conservation of energy principle, which states that the total mechanical energy of a system is conserved when only conservative forces act on it. In this case, we only have electric forces, which are conservative.

The total mechanical energy E of the particle is the sum of its kinetic energy K and its electric potential energy U:

E = K + U

At point A, the particle's kinetic energy is zero, so its total mechanical energy is equal to its electric potential energy:

EA = UA

At point B, the particle's total mechanical energy is the sum of its kinetic energy and its electric potential energy:

EB = K + UB

Since electric potential energy is a scalar quantity and does not depend on the path taken by the particle, the change in electric potential energy between points A and B is:

ΔU = UB - UA = 2.0 kV

The work done by the electric force to move the particle from point A to point B is equal to the change in its electric potential energy:

W = ΔU

By the work-energy principle, the work done by the electric force is equal to the change in the particle's kinetic energy:

W = EB - EA = K + UB - UA = K + ΔU

Therefore, the kinetic energy of the particle at point B is:

K = ΔU - UB + UA

We can calculate the electric potential energy at each point using the formula:

U = qV

where q is the charge of the particle and V is the electric potential.

At point A, the electric potential is:

VA = 0 V

so the electric potential energy is zero:

UA = qVA = 6 nC x 0 V = 0 J

At point B, the electric potential is:

VB = VA + ΔV = 2.0 kV = 2.0 x 10^3 V

so the electric potential energy is:

UB = qVB = 6 nC x 2.0 x 10^3 V = 12 mJ

Substituting these values into the equation for K, we get:

K = ΔU - UB + UA
= 12 mJ - 12 mJ + 0 J
= 0 J

Therefore, the particle's kinetic energy at point B is zero.
User Iamkhush
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