/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 6 Is the electric force on a charg... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 20: Problem 6

Is the electric force on a charged particle always in the direction of the field? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified
No, the electric force on a charged particle is not always in the direction of the electric field. It depends on the sign of the charged particle. For a positively charged particle, the force is in the direction of the field whereas for a negatively charged particle, the force is in the opposite direction to the field.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the direction of electric force on a positive charge

The electric field direction is defined as the direction a positively charged test particle will experience a force (i.e., the force would act towards decreasing potential if the particle is free to move). Therefore, for a positively charged particle, the direction of the electric field and the force experienced by the particle due to the field is the same.
02

Relate electric force direction for positive and negative charges

Let's consider a negatively charged particle. The force exerted on a negatively charged particle by an electric field is opposite to the field direction, due to the negative sign of the charge. This is because the forces are given by \(F = qE\), where \(F\) is the force, \(q\) is the charge (which can be either positive or negative), and \(E\) is the electric field. If \(q\) is negative, \(F\) is in the opposite direction to \(E\).
03

Summary of the behaviour of charged particles in an electric field

To summarize, the electric force on a positively charged particle is in the direction of the electric field, while the electric force on a negatively charged particle is in the direction opposite to the electric field. Thus, the direction of the electric force on a charged particle is not always in the same direction as the electric field it would depend on the sign of the electric charge of the particle.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

A \(9.5-\mu \mathrm{C}\) charge is at \(x=15 \mathrm{cm}, y=5.0 \mathrm{cm}\) and a \(-3.2-\mu \mathrm{C}\) charge is at \(x=4.4 \mathrm{cm}, y=11 \mathrm{cm} .\) Find the force on the negative charge.

In his famous 1909 experiment that demonstrated quantization of electric charge, R. A. Millikan suspended small oil drops in an electric field. With field strength \(20 \mathrm{MN} / \mathrm{C},\) what mass drop can be suspended when the drop carries 10 elementary charges?

Two charges, one whose magnitude is twice as large as the other's, are located \(12.5 \mathrm{cm}\) apart and experience an attractive force of \(143 \mathrm{N}\). (a) What's the magnitude of the larger charge? (b) Can you determine the sign of the larger charge?

Why should the test charge used to measure an electric field be small?

A proton moving to the right at \(3.8 \times 10^{5} \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) enters a region where a \(56-\mathrm{kN} / \mathrm{C}\) electric field points to the left. (a) How far will the proton get before it momentarily stops? (b) Describe its subsequent motion.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Translational Dynamics

Read Explanation

Mechanics and Materials

Read Explanation

Classical Mechanics

Read Explanation

Quantum Physics

Read Explanation

Medical Physics

Read Explanation

Energy Physics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.