Electric field strength (should be easy)

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SUMMARY

The electric field strength in a region where the electric flux through a 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm flat surface is 65 N·m²/C is calculated to be 650,000 N/C. This calculation is based on the formula φ = E × A, where φ is the electric flux and A is the area of the surface. The area is converted from cm² to m², resulting in 0.0001 m². The angle between the electric field and the surface normal is 0 degrees, confirming that cos(0) = 1 is applicable in this scenario.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric flux and its units (N·m²/C)
  • Knowledge of the formula relating electric field strength, flux, and area (φ = E × A)
  • Basic geometry for area calculation (conversion from cm² to m²)
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions, specifically cosine values
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of electric flux in more detail, including its applications in electrostatics.
  • Learn about the relationship between electric field strength and charge distribution.
  • Explore the implications of uniform electric fields in various physical scenarios.
  • Investigate the effects of angle on electric field calculations using different surface orientations.
USEFUL FOR

Students beginning their studies in physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism, as well as educators looking for clear examples of electric field strength calculations.

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What is the electric field strength in a region where the flux through a: [tex]1.0cm \times 1.0cm[/tex] flat surface is: [tex]65N\frac{m^2}{C}[/tex], if the field is uniform and the surface is at right angles to the field?

[]
[]----> E
[]

Since the field points at a right angle to the surface we have a norm of 1. (cos(90) = 1).

So we have:

[tex] \phi = 65N\frac{m^2}{C}[/tex]
[tex] A = (1.0cm)^2 = (0.01m)^2 = 0.0001m^2[/tex]
[tex] E= unknown[/tex]

Therefore:

[tex] \phi = E*A[/tex]

[tex] 65N\frac{m^2}{C}=E (0.0001)[/tex]
[tex] E=\frac{65}{0.0001}\frac{Nm^2}{C}[/tex]

Thus:
[tex] E=650000N\frac{m^2}{C}[/tex]

Did I do this math correctly? I just feel like I am doing something wrong here. Thanks
 
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Your answer is correct, but let me just point something out.
The norm is a unit vector that is perpendicular to the surface, so in this case its parallel to the electric field so the angle (theta) between the norm and the E is 0. cos(0) = 1,
cos(90) = 0 ( I think you knew this but just made careless/typographical error )
 
hehe, so careful with latex... not so careful with plain text.

I just started this physics course, so all the reinforcement (even mistakes) is awesome... thanks for the double check :)
 

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