An electrostatic precipitator is a device that efficiently removes particles fro

Question

An electrostatic precipitator is a device that efficiently removes particles from a flowing gas. A common application is the removal of dust and smoke particles from smokestacks in coal burning power plants, resulting in cleaner emissions. It works by giving an electric charge to particles in the smokestack, deflecting them in an electric field, and then collecting the charged particles on an electrode with the opposite charge. Suppose a dust particle rises through the precipitator with a constant velocity of 5 m/s, and it is given a charge of 10-5 C/kg. What horizontal electric field would deflect the dust particle 0.5 m horizontally as it ascends 20 meters through the stack? Hint: It will help to draw a picture. The walls of the stack are charged to produce an E field. The particle gets “captured” when it gets stuck on the wall of opposite charge. You will need to utilize the kinematics you learned in chapter 4. Also, you don’t know the mass or charge of the particle, but q/m = 10-5 C/kg.

Explanation / Answer

Given that

velocity=5 m/s

charge/mass=10^-5 C/kg

distance S=20-0.5

                =19.5 m

now we find the electric field E

basing on the concept of the intensity of the electric field

V^2=2*E(q/m)*S

5^2=2*E*10^-5*19.5

therefore the electric field E=0.64*10^5 N/c

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.