Q 1.14) The figure below shows tracks of three charged particles in a uniform electrostatic field. Give the signs of the three charges. Which particle has the highest charge to the mass ratio?

q14


It can be observed that particles 1 and 2 both move towards the positively charged plate and move away from the negatively charged plate. As opposite charges attract each other and the like charges repel each other. Hence, these two particles are negatively charged. It can also be observed that particle 3 moves towards the negatively charged plate and move away from the positively charged plate. Hence, particle 3 is positively charged.

The charge to mass ratio is directly proportional to the displacement or amount of deflection for a given velocity. Since the deflection of particle 3 is the maximum, it has the highest charge to mass ratio.