A particle of mass m and charge (−q) enters the region between the two charged plates initially moving along x-axis with speed vx (like particle 1 in Fig. 1.33).

Solution:

Charge on a particle of mass m = − q

Velocity of the particle = vx

Length of the plates = L

Magnitude of the uniform electric field between the plates = E

Mechanical force, F = Mass (m) × Acceleration (a)

$a=\frac{F}{m}$

However, electric force, $F=q E$

Therefore, acceleration, $a=\frac{q E}{m}$  ...(1)

Time taken by the particle to cross the field of length L is given by,

$t=\frac{\text { Length of the plate }}{\text { Velocity of the particle }}=\frac{L}{v_{x}}$  ...(2)

In the vertical direction, initial velocity, u = 0

According to the third equation of motion, vertical deflection s of the particle can be obtained as,

$s=u t+\frac{1}{2} a t^{2}$

$s=0+\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{q E}{m}\right)\left(\frac{L}{v_{x}}\right)^{2}$

$s=\frac{q E L^{2}}{2 m V_{x}^{2}}$   ...(3)

Hence, vertical deflection of the particle at the far edge of the plate is

$q E L^{2} /\left(2 m v_{x}^{2}\right)$. This is similar to the motion of horizontal projectiles under gravity.