Question

Most workers in nanotechnology are actively monitored for excess static charge buildup. the human body acts like an insulator as one walks across a carpet, collecting –50 nc per step. what charge buildup will a worker in a manufacturing plant accumulate if she walks 31 steps?

Answer 1

A worker in a nanotechnology manufacturing plant walking 31 steps would accumulate a static charge of -1550 nanocoulombs. This charge buildup is an excess of electrons and is critical to manage in sensitive electronic environments to prevent damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the charge buildup a worker accumulates after walking 31 steps, with each step adding a charge of –50 nanocoulombs (nC), we can use the formula:

Total charge = Charge per step × Number of steps

Total charge = (-50 nC/step) × 31 steps

Total charge = -1550 nC

This negative charge indicates an excess of electrons accumulated on the worker's body. It's important for workers to discharge this static charge properly to prevent damage to sensitive electronic components in the nanotechnology manufacturing plant.

The phenomena of static electricity are common in our daily lives. For instance, rubbing your feet on the carpet can transfer electrons to your body, causing the sensation of a shock when touching a metal object or another person. We have to be cautious of static electricity, as it can also create sparks that might ignite flammable substances.

Answer 2

Sometimes arithmetic problems can be solved much more easily using the dimensional analysis approach. You focus on the units of the given information. Then, you manipulate them applying the laws of algebra where like units cancel, in order to end up with the unit of the unknown.

Given:
-50 nc/step
31 steps
Unknown: charge

Thus,
Charge = -50 nc/step * 31 steps = -1550 nc