Question

During a thunderstorm the electric field at a certain point in the earth's atmosphere is 1.07 105 N/C, directed upward. Find the acceleration of a small piece of ice of mass 1.08 10-4 g, carrying a charge of 1.05 10-11 C.

Answer 1

The acceleration of a small piece of ice is 10.40 m/s².

Step-by-step explanation:

The electric force is given by:

`F = Eq`

Where:

E is the electric field = 1.07x10⁵ N/C

q is the charge = 1.05x10⁻¹¹ C

The electric force is equal to Newton's second law:

`Eq = ma`

Where:

m is the mass = 1.08x10⁻⁴ g = 1.08x10⁻⁷ kg

a is the acceleration

Hence, the acceleration is:

`a = (Eq)/(m) = (1.07 \cdot 10^(5) N/C*1.05 \cdot 10^(-11) C)/(1.08 \cdot 10^(-7) kg) = 10.40 m/s^(2)`

Therefore, the acceleration of a small piece of ice is 10.40 m/s².

I hope it helps you!