Question

An electric field from a charge has a magnitude of 1.5 × 104 N/C at a certain location that points inward. If another charge with a magnitude of +3.0 × 10−6 C is brought near it, what is the strength of the electrostatic force that acts on this charge and how do the two charges behave?

Answer 1

The correct answer is actually -0.045; attract each other

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

-0.045 N, they will attract each other

Step-by-step explanation:

The strength of the electrostatic force exerted on a charge is given by

`F=qE`

where

q is the magnitude of the charge

E is the electric field magnitude

In this problem,

`q=3.0\cdot 10^(-6)C`

`E=-1.5\cdot 10^4 N/C` (negative because inward)

So the strength of the electrostatic force is

`F=(-3.0\cdot 10^(-6)C)(1.5\cdot 10^4 N/C)=-0.045 N`

Moreover, the charge will be attracted towards the source of the electric field. In fact, the text says that the electric field points inward: this means that the source charge is negative, so the other charge (which is positive) is attracted towards it.