Question

A scientist fixes a test charge q′ to point P and then measures the electrostatic force it experiences there. She then calculates the magnitude of the electric field by applying the equation E = F'/q' . Which change to her procedure would vary the value of E that she calculates? Explain please. If you know the full quiz type below thank you.

A. keep the test charge in the same location, but alter its charge from q′ to −q'
B. keep the charge on the test charge the same, but move the test charge to a different position fa
C .keep the test charge in the same location, but alter its charge from q′ to 2q

Answer 1

The change to her procedure that could vary the value of E that she calculates is to keep the charge on the test charge the same but move the test charge to a different position.

Step-by-step explanation

The electric field is calculated by the equation E=F'/q'. The equation clearly indicates the role of force experienced by the test charge in determining the electric field. According to Coulomb's law the force experienced is directly proportional to the product of the two charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

it is given by the equation

F=1/(4πε_0 ) Qq'/r^2

since the force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the charges, it decreases when the distance is increased and increases when the distance is decreased. Force is directly proportional to electric field here and thus the electric field decreases when the force decreases and increases when the force increases. we can conclude that moving the test charge to a different position could vary the value of E that she calculates.