Question

A proton and an electron are each placed in an electric field between a pair of parallel plates. The electron is placed exactly halfway between the two plates, and the proton is placed midway between the electron and the negative plate. Which of the following statements is correct about the forces the particles experience?

• A. The force on the electron is larger because it has less mass
• B. The force on the proton is larger because it has greater mass
• C. The force on the electron is larger because it is in the strongest part of the electric field
• D. The force on the proton is larger because it is closer to the negative plate
• E. They both experience the same force

Answer 1

The correct option is E They both experience the same force

The electric field between two charged parallel plates is uniform and is given by $E=\sigma /\epsilon$ , where $\sigma =$ charge density of plates and $\epsilon =$ permittivity of medium between plates,

now the electric force on a charge $q$ in a field $E$ is , $F=qE$ ,

since both , electron and proton have equal charge and both are placed in the same uniform magnetic field ,therefore both will experience same force.