Final answer:
The electron's speed as it left the negative plate was 2000 m/s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electron's speed as it left the negative plate can be found using the conservation of energy and the potential difference between the plates.
Given that the electron's speed as it strikes the positive plate is 2.50*107 m/s and the distance between the plates is 2 cm, we can calculate the electric field strength using the formula:
E = ΔV / d
Where E is the electric field strength, ΔV is the potential difference, and d is the distance between the plates.
Substituting the given values:
E = 200 V / 0.02 m = 10000 N/C
Since the electric field accelerates the electron, we can use the equation of motion:
v2 = u2 + 2ad
Where v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration, and d is the distance traveled.
Since the electron starts from rest at the negative plate, the initial velocity is 0 m/s.
Substituting the values into the equation:
2.50*107 m/s2 = 0 + 2 * 10000 * 0.02
Simplifying the equation:
v = sqrt(2 * 10000 * 0.02) = 2000 m/s
Therefore, the electron's speed as it left the negative plate was 2000 m/s.