Question

Honeybees acquire a charge while flying due to friction with the air. A 100 mg bee with a charge of +23 pC experiences an electric force in the earth’s electric field, which is typically 100 N/C, directed downward.

a) What is the ratio of the electric force on the bee to the bee's weight?
b) What electric field strength would allow the bee to hang suspended in the air? Express your answer with the appropriate units.

Answer 1

a) The ratio of the electric force on the bee to its weight can be calculated by dividing the electric force by the weight. b) The electric field strength that would allow the bee to hang suspended in the air can be determined by setting the electric force equal to the weight and solving for the electric field strength.

Step-by-step explanation:

a) To find the ratio of the electric force on the bee to its weight, we need to calculate the electric force and the weight of the bee. The electric force is given by multiplying the charge of the bee (23 pC) by the electric field strength (100 N/C). The weight of the bee can be calculated by multiplying its mass (100 mg) by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2). Dividing the electric force by the weight will give us the ratio.

b) To determine the electric field strength that would allow the bee to hang suspended in the air, we need to find the electric field strength that cancels out the weight of the bee. The weight can be calculated using the same method as before. Setting the electric force equal to the weight and solving for the electric field strength will give us the answer.