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#1 2008-01-27 08:49:40

triplezzz21
New Member
Registered: 2008-01-27
Posts: 7

charge problem help

I need help on a problem:
Two electrons, each with mass  m and charge q , are released from positions very far from each other. With respect to a certain reference frame, electron A has initial nonzero speed v toward electron B in the positive x direction, and electron B has initial speed 3v toward electron A in the negative x direction. The electrons move directly toward each other along the x axis (very hard to do with real electrons). As the electrons approach each other, they slow due to their electric repulsion. This repulsion eventually pushes them away from each other.
Which of the following statements about the motion of the electrons in the given reference frame will be true at the instant the two electrons reach their minimum separation?
A. Electron A is moving faster than electron B.
B. Electron B is moving faster than electron A.
C. Both electrons are moving at the same (nonzero) speed in opposite directions.
D. Both electrons are moving at the same (nonzero) speed in the same direction.

please give answer and reason.
thanks

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#2 2008-01-28 02:25:43

triplezzz21
New Member
Registered: 2008-01-27
Posts: 7

Re: charge problem help

i guess people don't like helping others out and only wants to get help

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#3 2008-02-03 03:45:17

Dragonicebreaker
New Member
Registered: 2008-02-03
Posts: 1

Re: charge problem help

The answer is D. Both electrons are moving at the same (nonzero) speed in the same direction.

According to Mastering Physics:

If at a given moment the electrons are still moving toward each other, then they will be closer in the next instant. If at a given moment the electrons are moving away from each other, then they were closer in the previous instant. The electrons will be traveling in the same direction at the same speed at the moment they reach their minimum separation. Only in a reference frame in which the total momentum is zero (the center of momentum frame) would the electrons be stationary at their minimum separation.

Last edited by Dragonicebreaker (2008-02-03 03:46:08)

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