An electron carries a charge of -1.6 x 10-19 C. If a force of 3.2 x 10-17 N causes...

Question

An electron carries a charge of  -1.6 x 10-19 C. If a force of 3.2 x 10-17 N causes the electron to move upward, what is the magnitude and direction of the electric field. Answer: 2.0x10^2N/C (Down)

Answer 1

force(F) and electric field(E) both have magnitudes and directions,

 

E = F/q

   

q is the charge

 

E = 3.2 x 10^-17 / 1.6 x 10^-19  N/C

 

   = 2.0 x 10² N/C (in downward direction)

 

If q is positive, the electric field is in the same direction as the force; but here q is negative, the direction of electric field will be in the opposite direction as the force, ie electric field will be downward direction.