Question

A vertical electric field of magnitude 1.85 x 10^4 N/C exists above the Earth's surface on a day when a thunderstorm is brewing. A car with a rectangular size of 6.00 m by 3.00 m is traveling along a dry gravel roadway sloping downward at 19.0°. Determine the electric flux through the bottom of the car.

Answer 1

The electric flux through the car's bottom is
`1.75* 10^(4) Wb`

Solution:

As per the question:

Magnitude of vertical Electric field,
`E_(v) = 1.85* 10^(4) N/C`

The area of the rectangular surface of the car,
`A_(bottom) = 6* 3 = 18 m^(2)`

Downward slope at an angle,
`\angle\theta = 19.0^(\circ)`

Now, the electric flux,
`\phi_(E)` is given by:

`\phi_(E) = \vec{E_(v)}.\vec{A_(bottom)} = E_(v)A_(bottom)cos\theta`

Now, substituting the appropriate values in the above formula:

`\phi_(E) = 1.85* 10^(4)* 18cos19.0^(\circ)`

`\phi_(E) = 1.75* 10^(4) Wb`