A free electron and a proton are released from rest halfway between a pair of oppositely charged parallel plates. The proton, being the heavier particle, will reach the negative plate before the electron reaches the positive plate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Despite the proton being heavier, the electron will reach the positive plate before the proton reaches the negative plate because the electron has a much higher acceleration due to its much smaller mass, even though both particles experience the same magnitude of electric force.

A Free Electron and a Proton Are Released from Rest