Question

A bug zapper consists of two metal plates connected to a high-voltage power supply. The voltage between the plates is set to give an electric field slightly less than 1×10^6 V/m. When a bug flies between the two plates, it increases the field enough to initiate a spark that incinerates the bug.

If a bug zapper has a 7000 V power supply, what is the approximate separation between the plates?

(a) 7×10-2 cm
(b) 0.7 cm
(c) 7 cm
(d) 70 cm

Answer 1

The separation between the plates is 0.7 cm.

(b) is correct option.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that,

Electric filed
`E=1*10^(6)\ V/m`

Voltage = 7000 V

Electric filed is equal to the voltage divided by the separation between the plates.

We need to calculate the separation between the plates

Using formula of electric field

`E = (V)/(d)`

`d=(V)/(E)`

Where, V = voltage

E = electric field

Put the value into the formula

`d=(7000)/(1*10^(6))`

`d=0.007\ m`

`d=0.7\ cm`

Hence, The separation between the plates is 0.7 cm.