Question

Suppose an electric field exerts a 4.65 × 10⁻¹⁷ N westward force on an electron. What is the charge of the electron?

- a) 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C
- b) 3.2 × 10⁻¹⁹ C
- c) 4.65 × 10⁻¹⁷ C
- d) -1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C

Answer 1

The charge of the electron can be determined by using the formula q = F/E, where F is the force and E is the electric field strength.

Step-by-step explanation:

The force experienced by an electron can be related to its charge and the electric field strength using the equation F = qE, where F is the force, q is the charge, and E is the electric field strength. Rearranging this equation, we can solve for the charge (q = F/E).

Given that the force exerted on the electron is 4.65 × 10⁻¹⁷ N and the direction is westward, we can substitute these values into the equation to find the charge. The charge of the electron is therefore 4.65 × 10⁻¹⁷ C.

The question asks us to identify the charge of an electron that experiences a westward force in an electric field. The accepted fundamental charge of an electron is known to be -1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C, which means the correct answer is (d) -1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C.

Therefore, the correct answer is c) 4.65 × 10⁻¹⁷ C.