if an electron is placed in a uniform electric field, directed east and the magnitude of the field is 2.5 x 10^3 N/C what is the direction and acceleration of the electron? I think I should be using F=qE to get F and then use F=ma to get accel but I am not sure if I can elim q from F=qE or not. Also does the electron move with, or against the field? Thanks.

Question

if an electron is placed in a uniform electric field, directed east and the magnitude of the field is 2.5 x 10^3 N/C what is the direction and acceleration of the electron?  I think I should be using F=qE to get F and then use F=ma to get accel but I am not sure if I can elim q from F=qE or not.  Also does the electron move with, or against the field?  Thanks.

anonymous · Answer

East direction means +x, so qE<0 (-x) remember that electron charge is negative, so:
ma=-qE
a=-qE/m , this means that accceleration is directed to west.