Final answer:
The strength of the electric field around a plastic bead with a charge of -8.4 nC at a distance of 4.4 cm can be calculated using Coulomb's law, applying the constant 8.99 × 10⁹ N·m²/C², and accounting for the distance from the charge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks to determine the strength of the electric field created by a plastic bead with a charge of -8.4 nanocoulombs (nC) at a distance of 4.4 centimeters. To find the electric field strength (E), we can use Coulomb's law, which relates the strength of the electric field E to the quantity of charge Q and the distance r from the charge. The formula for the electric field E due to a point charge is given by:
E = k * |Q| / r²
Where:
- k is Coulomb's constant (8.99 × 10⁹ N·m²/C²),
- Q is the charge (-8.4 nC or -8.4 × 10⁻⁹ C), and
- r is the distance from the charge (4.4 cm or 0.044 m).
By plugging in the values, we get:
E = (8.99 × 10⁹ N·m²/C²) * |-8.4 × 10⁻⁹ C| / (0.044 m)²
This calculation will give us the electric field strength at 4.4 cm from the charged plastic bead.