This question is not complete, the complete question is;
An electron remains suspended between the surface of the Earth (assumed neutral) and a fixed positive point charge, at a distance of 5.3 m from the point charge. Determine the charge required for this to happen. The acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s² and the Coulomb constant is 8.98755 x 10⁹ N.m²/C². Answer in units of C.
Answer: the charge required for this to happen is 1.7415 × 10¹⁹ C
Explanation:
Given the data in the question;
we know that gravitational force on electro = M×g
mass of electron m = 9.10938356 × 10⁻³¹ kilograms
charge of electron e = 1.60217662 × 10⁻¹⁹ coulombs
given that distance r = 5.3m and the Coulomb constant = 8.98755 x 10⁹ N.m²/C²
g = 9.8 m/s²
Now for the electron to be suspended, This will happen only if the electrostatic force is equal to weight of electron;
[ (1/4πε0) × q × e] / r² = m × g
so we substitute
8.98755 x 10⁹ × q × 1.60217662 × 10⁻¹⁹/[5.3]² = 9.10938356 × 10⁻³¹ × 9.8
q = 8.9271 × 10⁻³⁰ / 5.1262 × 10⁻¹¹
q = 1.7415 × 10¹⁹ C
Therefore the charge required for this to happen is 1.7415 × 10¹⁹ C
[1.43996 × 10⁹ × q] / 29.09 = 8.92719 x 10⁻³⁰
1.43996 × 10⁹ × q = 2.5969 × 10⁻²⁶
q = 2.5969 × 10⁻²⁶ / 1.43996 × 10⁹
q =