Name & Date: 1

Electric Fields Part 2

Motion of charges in external electric fields

Let's derive a formula for calculating the acceleration of a charge q in an electric field 𝐸𝐸�⃑ .

• Newton's 2nd Law says:

Σ𝐹𝐹⃑ =

• We know that electric force on charge q in electric field 𝐸𝐸�⃑ is:

𝐹𝐹⃑ =

• Since the only force on q is electric force, we can equate these above two equations:

• Rearranging for acceleration gives:

𝑎𝑎⃑ =

From this relationship, we see that the acceleration of a charged particle in an electric field is proportional
to the electric field AS WELL AS the ratio of its: ______________ to its _____________.

#1) Calculate q/m for an electron and a proton. Use these values to qualitatively compare the
accelerations each charge would experience if placed in identical electric fields.
Electric Fields Part 2: INTERMEDIATE LEVEL 2

#2) Four e- are placed in four identical uniform -15.5𝚥𝚥̂ N/C electric fields with a specified initial velocity.

𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚
(i) 𝑣𝑣⃑𝑜𝑜 = 0 𝑠𝑠
(ii) 𝑣𝑣⃑𝑜𝑜 = 5.00𝚤𝚤̂ 𝑠𝑠

𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚
(iii) 𝑣𝑣⃑𝑜𝑜 = (5.00 𝑠𝑠
, 315°) (iv) 𝑣𝑣⃑𝑜𝑜 = −5.00𝚥𝚥̂ 𝑠𝑠

a. Sketch the trajectory of each electron on the diagrams above. Do it in pencil to begin with.
b. What is the acceleration of each electron when it is in the electric field? [2.72x1012 j m/s2 ]

c. What is the velocity of e- (ii) after it has been in the E-field for 3ns? [(5.00𝚤𝚤̂ + 8160𝚥𝚥̂) m/s]

d. How long would it take for e- (iii) start moving upwards? [1.30x10-12 s]
Electric Fields Part 2: MASTERY LEVEL 3

#3) WHITEBOARD QUESTION: This problem must be solved as a group on a big whiteboard!

A charge Q = 3.00 C with mass 2.54 g is moving at 5.00x102 m/s downwards when it enters the
middle of a uniform E-field of 150 N/C created by two oppositely charged plates separated by
20.0 cm. Will Q collide with the plates, or escape unscathed? Gravity acts down as usual.
Electric Fields Part 2: MASTERY LEVEL 4

#4) A mass m1 = 0.5g and charge 2.5 x 10-6 C hangs from a string with tension T. A second mass m2 =
2.0 g and charge -2.5 x 10-6 C remains stationary a distance L below the hanging charge, despite not
resting on any surface (it’s “floating”).
a. Draw a FBD for m2. What is the distance L? [L=1.69 m]
b. Draw a FBD for m1. What is the tension T? [T=0.025 N]
c. What will happen to m2 if it is placed a distance less than L from m1?
d. What will happen to m2 if it is placed a distance greater than L from m1?
Electric Fields Part 2: MASTERY LEVEL 5

#5) Candy Contest! As a group, figure out the direction of the net electric field at point P due to each
charge distribution. Hint: use vector diagrams at point P.

a. Above a very long line of charge. b. In the centre of a semicircle of + charge.

c. In the centre of a semicircle of charge d. Inside 2 long // plates of opposite sign

e. In the centre of a ¾ circle of charge f. In the centre of a ring of + charge

g. Above a ring of NEGATIVE charge h. Above an infinite plane of positive charge.

i. Outside a sphere of uniform, NEGATIVE charge

 Electric Fields Part 2: EXTRA PRACTICE 6

#6) A tiny oil drop of mass 2.80 x 10-15 kg and charge -3e is held motionless in an electric field. What
is the magnitude and direction of the electric field at the location of the drop? [E = -5.71x104N/Cĵ]

− 0.25 0.25
#7) qA is located at  0  m and qB is located at  0  m. |qA| =|qB|. A test charge of -2e is placed at
 
 0   0 
the origin. The force experienced by the test charge is -5.0x10-12Nî

a. What is the electric field halfway between the two charged particles? [E = 1.56x107N/C î]
b. What are the magnitudes and signs of qA and qB? [qA = 5.43x10-5C = -qb]

#8) An electron (me = 9.11 x 10-31 kg) enters the space between parallel plates 2.00 cm apart with
essentially zero velocity. The electric field between the plates is -5.00 x 103 î N/C.

a. Draw a picture showing the electrons approximate trajectory.

b. If it starts midway between the two plates, with what velocity does the electron hit the
plate? [v=4.19x106 î m/s]

#9) A proton has an initial velocity of 4.50 x 105 m/s in the horizontal direction. It enters a uniform
electric field of 9.60 x 103 N/C directed downwards. Find:
a. the time it takes the proton to travel 5.00 cm horizontally. [t = 1.11x10-7s]
b. the vertical displacement of the proton during this time. [∆y=-5.67x10-3m]
c. the horizontal & vertical components of the proton’s velocity at the end of this time.
[vy = -1.02x105m/s, vx = 4.50x105m/s]

#10) A small 2.00 g plastic ball is suspended by a 20.0 cm long string in a uniform electric field as shown.
The ball is in equilibrium, hanging at a 15° angle to the vertical. What is the charge on the ball?
[q = +5.25x10-6C]