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# An Electron and a Proton Are Detected in a Cosmic Ray Experiment, the First with Kinetic Energy 10 Kev, and the Second with 100 Kev. Which is Faster, the Electron Or the Proton? Obtain the Ratio of Their Speeds - CBSE (Science) Class 11 - Physics

#### Question

An electron and a proton are detected in a cosmic ray experiment, the first with kinetic energy 10 keV, and the second with 100 keV. Which is faster, the electron or the proton? Obtain the ratio of their speeds. (electron mass = 9.11 × 10–31 kg, proton mass = 1.67 ×10–27 kg, 1 eV = 1.60 × 10–19 J).

#### Solution 1

Electron is faster; Ratio of speeds is 13.54 : 1

Mass of the electron, me = 9.11 × 10–31 kg

Mass of the proton, mp = 1.67 × 10– 27 kg

Kinetic energy of the electron, EKe = 10 keV = 104 eV

= 104 × 1.60 × 10–19

= 1.60 × 10–15 J

Kinetic energy of the proton, EKp = 100 keV = 105 eV = 1.60 × 10–14 J

For thr velocity of an electron v_e, its kinetic energy is given by the relation:

E_(K_e) = 1/2mv_e^2

:.v_e = sqrt((2xxE_(K_e))/m

= sqrt((2xx1.60xx10^(-15))/(9.11xx10^(-31))) = 5.93 xx10^7 m/s

For the velocity of a proton v_p, its kinetic energy is given by the relation:

E_(K_p)=1/2mv_p^2

v_p = sqrt((2xxE_(K_p))/m

:.v_p = sqrt((2xx1.6xx10^(-14))/(1.67xx10^(-27))) = 4.38 xx 10^6 "m/s"

Hence the electron ismoving faster than the proton.

The ratio of their speeds:

v_c/v_p = (5.93xx10^7)/(4.38xx10^(6)) = 13.54:1

#### Solution 2

Here K_e = 10 KeV and K_p = 100 keV

m_e = 9.11 xx 10^(-31) kg and m_p = 1.67 xx 10^(-27) kg

As K = 1/2mv^2 or v = sqrt((2K)/m)

Hence v_e/v_p = sqrt(K_e/K_pxxm_p/m_e) = sqrt((10keV)/100keV) xx (1.67xx10^(-27) kg)/(9.11xx10^(-31)kg)

= 13.54

=> v_e = 13.54 v_p

Thus electron is travelling faster

Is there an error in this question or solution?

#### APPEARS IN

NCERT Solution for Physics Textbook for Class 11 (2018 to Current)
Chapter 6: Work, Energy and Power
Q: 12 | Page no. 136
Solution An Electron and a Proton Are Detected in a Cosmic Ray Experiment, the First with Kinetic Energy 10 Kev, and the Second with 100 Kev. Which is Faster, the Electron Or the Proton? Obtain the Ratio of Their Speeds Concept: Kinetic Energy.
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