Suppose you want to determine the electric field in a certain region of space. Y

Question

Suppose you want to determine the electric field in a certain region of space. You have a small object of known charge and an instrument that measures the magnitude and direction of the force exerted on the object by the electric field.

(a) The object has a charge of +30.0 C and the instrument indicates that the electric force exerted on it is 50.0 N, due east. What are the magnitude and direction of the electric field?

(b) What are the magnitude and direction of the electric field if the object has a charge of -30.0 C and the instrument indicates that the force is 40.0 N, due west?

Explanation / Answer

a)

q = 30 x 10-6 C

Fe = electric force = 50 x 10-6 N

Electric force is given as

Fe = q E

50 x 10-6 = (30 x 10-6 ) E

E = 1.67 N/C

direction : towards east    . since a positive charge experience electric force in the same direction as the electric field.

b)

q = - 30 x 10-6 C

Fe = electric force = 40 x 10-6 N

Electric force is given as

Fe = q E

40 x 10-6 = (30 x 10-6 ) E

E = 1.33 N/C

direction : towards east    . since a negative charge experience electric force in the opposite direction as the electric field.

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