Question

As clothing tumble in a dryer, they can become charged. If a small piece of lint with a charge of +2.15 E−19 C is attracted to the clothing by a force of 4.0 E−9 N, what is the magnitude of the electric field at this location?

A. 1.9 E10 N/C
B. 5.4 E10 N/C
C. 6.1 E10 N/C
D. 8.6 E10 N/C

Answer 1

The magnitude of the electric field at the location can be calculated using the formula for electric force:

Electric force (F) = electric field (E) * charge (q)

Rearranging the formula to solve for electric field (E):

Electric field (E) = Electric force (F) / Charge (q)

Given:

Charge (q) = +2.15 E-19 C (magnitude of the charge of the lint)

Electric force (F) = 4.0 E-9 N (force of attraction between the lint and the clothing)

Plugging in the values into the formula:

Electric field (E) = 4.0 E-9 N / +2.15 E-19 C

Calculating the electric field:

Electric field (E) = 1.8604651162790697 E10 N/C

Rounding to appropriate significant figures, the magnitude of the electric field at the location is approximately 1.9 E10 N/C.

So, the correct option is A. 1.9 E10 N/C.

Step-by-step explanation: