With what acceleration does a proton move in a uniform electrostatic field of 10 kV / m?

To determine the acceleration of the proton under consideration, we apply Newton’s second law: m * a = q * E, whence a = q * E / m.

Constants and variables: q – proton charge (q = 1.6 * 10 ^ -19 C); E – field strength (E = 10 kV / m = 10 * 10 ^ 3 V / m); m is the mass of a proton (m = 1.67 * 10 ^ -27 kg).

Let’s perform the calculation: a = q * E / m = 1.6 * 10 ^ -19 * 10 * 10 ^ 3 / 1.67 * 10 ^ -27 ≈ 958.1 * 10 ^ 9 m / s2.

Answer: The proton under consideration should have moved with an acceleration of 958.1 * 10 ^ 9 m / s2.