A linear accelerator uses alternating electric fields to accelerate electrons to close to the speed of light. A small number of the electrons collide with a target, but a large majority pass through the target and impact a beam dump at the end of the accelerator. In one experiment the beam dump measured charge accumulating at a rate of - 2.0 nC/s. How many electrons passed through the accelerator over 1.8 hours?

Question

Physics

Giancarlo

10 May, 19:30

A linear accelerator uses alternating electric fields to accelerate electrons to close to the speed of light. A small number of the electrons collide with a target, but a large majority pass through the target and impact a beam dump at the end of the accelerator. In one experiment the beam dump measured charge accumulating at a rate of - 2.0 nC/s. How many electrons passed through the accelerator over 1.8 hours?

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Jeffery Hodges · Answer 1

8.1 x 10^13 electrons passed through the accelerator over 1.8 hours.

Explanation:

The total charge accumulated in 1.8 hours will be:

Total Charge = I x t = (-2.0 nC/s) (1.8 hrs) (3600 s / 1 hr)

Total Charge = - 12960 nC = - 12.96 x 10^ (-6) C

Since, the charge on one electron is e = - 1.6 x 10^ (-19) C

Therefore, no. of electrons will be:

No. of electrons = Total Charge/Charge on one electron

No. of electrons = [ - 12.96 x 10^ (-6) C]/[ - 1.6 x 10^ (-19) C]

No. of electrons = 8.1 x 10^13 electrons