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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
If an electron has an initial velocity in a direction different from that of an electric field, the path of the electron is
PhysicsElectrostaticsBITSATBITSAT 2009
Options:
  • A a straight line
  • B a circle
  • C an ellipse
  • D a parabola
Solution:
2511 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: a parabola
The path is a parabola, because initial velocity can be resolved into two rectangular components, one along $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}$ and other $\perp$ to $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}$. The former decreases at a constant rate and latter is unaffected. The resultant path is therefore a parabola.

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