An electron is situated midway between two parallel plates 0.5 cm apart. One of the plates is maintained at a potential of 60 volts above the other. The force on the electron is: (e = -1.6 x 10^-19C)

Explanation

To solve this problem, we first calculate the electric field (E) between the parallel plates using the formula E = V/d, where V is the potential difference and d is the distance between the plates. Here, V = 60V and d = 0.5 cm = 0.005 m. Thus, E = 60V/0.005m = 12,000 V/m.Next, we apply the formula for the force on a charge in an electric field: F = eE. The charge of an electron is e = -1.6x10-19 C. Therefore, F = (1.6x10-19 C)(12,000 V/m) = 1.92x10-15 N.Option A is incorrect due to a possible miscalculation of E. Option B underestimates the force, likely from an error in applying the formula. Option D overestimates the force, possibly by using incorrect values. Option E significantly overestimates the force, indicating a misunderstanding of the relationship between V, d, and the resulting force.