Chapter 24: Problem 37
Determine the magnitude of the electric field in vacuum at a distance of \(1.00 \mathrm{~mm}\) from a proton. [Hint: Use \(k_{0}\).]
Short Answer
Expert verified
The magnitude of the electric field is approximately \(1.44 \times 10^3 \text{ N/C}\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify Known Values
Given a proton and a distance of \(1.00 \text{ mm}\), we need to determine the electric field in a vacuum. The charge of a proton is \(+1.602 \times 10^{-19} \text{ C}\), and the distance given is \(1.00 \times 10^{-3} \text{ m}\).
02
Recall the Formula for Electric Field
The electric field \(E\) due to a point charge is given by: \[ E = \frac{k_0 \cdot |q|}{r^2} \]where \(k_0 = 8.988 \times 10^9 \text{ N m}^2/\text{C}^2\), \(q\) is the charge, and \(r\) is the distance from the charge.
03
Substitute Known Values into Formula
Using the formula \(E = \frac{k_0 \cdot |q|}{r^2}\), we substitute:- \(k_0 = 8.988 \times 10^9 \text{ N m}^2/\text{C}^2\)- \(q = 1.602 \times 10^{-19} \text{ C}\)- \(r = 1.00 \times 10^{-3} \text{ m}\)This gives us: \[ E = \frac{8.988 \times 10^9 \cdot 1.602 \times 10^{-19}}{(1.00 \times 10^{-3})^2} \]
04
Calculate Electric Field Magnitude
Perform the calculations:- Calculate \( (1.00 \times 10^{-3})^2 = 1.00 \times 10^{-6} \)- Numerator: \( 8.988 \times 10^9 \cdot 1.602 \times 10^{-19} = 1.44033676 \times 10^{-9} \)- Divide: \( E = \frac{1.44033676 \times 10^{-9}}{1.00 \times 10^{-6}} = 1.44033676 \times 10^{3} \)The electric field magnitude is approximately \(1.44 \times 10^3 \text{ N/C}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Electric Field Formula
The electric field formula is a cornerstone in understanding how electric forces work around charged particles. Consider a point charge, which is a source of electric field. The formula to calculate the electric field \(E\) due to a point charge \(q\) is given by: \[E = \frac{k_0 \cdot |q|}{r^2}\]where:
- \(k_0\), known as Coulomb's constant, is approximately \(8.988 \times 10^9 \text{ N m}^2/\text{C}^2\).
- The absolute value \(|q|\) ensures positivity, as electric field magnitude is always non-negative.
- \(r\) is the distance from the charge, squared.
Point Charge
A point charge represents a charged body with its charge concentrated at a single point in space. It is an idealized concept often used in physics to simplify the study of electrostatics. When calculating the electric field, a proton, which has a positive charge, can be treated as a point charge.
- Protons have a charge of \(+1.602 \times 10^{-19} \text{ C}\).
- A point charge creates an electric field that radiates outward (or inward for a negative charge) in all directions.
Coulomb's Constant
Coulomb's constant \(k_0\) is a key component of the electric field formula, acting as a proportionality factor. Its value is approximately \(8.988 \times 10^9 \text{ N m}^2/\text{C}^2\). This constant is derived from Coulomb's Law, which describes the force between two charges.Here is why Coulomb's constant is crucial:
- It allows us to relate the tiny units of charge (Coulombs) to the much larger magnitudes of force (Newtons).
- It provides the necessary scale to transform the charge interactions into the electric field strength.
Distance from Charge
The distance \(r\) from a point charge is a crucial factor when determining the strength of the electric field. In the electric field formula, this distance is squared, which implies an inverse square relationship.Let's break it down:
- A smaller distance \(r\) results in a larger electric field \(E\), demonstrating a strong interaction.
- Conversely, as the distance increases, the electric field decreases rapidly, indicating a weaker influence.
- For instance, if you double the distance from the charge, the electric field strength is reduced by a factor of four.