Question

An airplane is flying through a thundercloud at a height of 2000 m (This is a very dangerous thing to do because of updrafts, turbulence, and the possibility of electric discharge.) If there is a charge concentration of 40 C at height 3000 m with the cloud and -40 C at height 1000 m, what is the electric field at the aircraft

Answer 1

`400000\ \text{N/C}`

Step-by-step explanation:

`q_1` = Charge at 3000 m = 40 C

`q_2` = Charge at 1000 m = -40 C

`r_1` = 3000 m

`r_2` = 1000 m

k = Coulomb constant =
`9*10^9\ \text{Nm}^2/\text{C}^2`

Electric field due to the charge at 3000 m

`E_1=(k|q_1|)/(r_1^2)\\\Rightarrow E_1=(9* 10^9* 40)/(3000^2)\\\Rightarrow E_1=40000\ \text{N/C}`

Electric field due to the charge at 1000 m

`E_2=(k|q_2|)/(r_2^2)\\\Rightarrow E_2=(9* 10^9* 40)/(1000^2)\\\Rightarrow E_2=360000\ \text{N/C}`

Electric field at the aircraft is
`E_1+E_2=40000+360000=400000\ \text{N/C}`.