Electric charge and Electric Field

In summary, electric charge is a fundamental physical property of matter that can be positive or negative, and it is responsible for the attraction and repulsion between particles. Electric fields, on the other hand, are created by electric charges and are responsible for exerting a force on other charges within their vicinity. The strength of an electric field is determined by the magnitude and distribution of the charges creating it. Together, electric charge and electric fields play a crucial role in understanding and describing the behavior of electricity and electromagnetism in our world.
  • #1
rdoug 33
[?] I am working out of the Physics Fifth Edition by Giancoli, I am having trouble with Chapter 16, questions 19,29 and 49.

I took Physics One about 6 years ago and can't seem to remeber the basics to figure these problems out. Can anyone help me?

Thanks,
Ron
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
And you expect us to have that textbook open in front of us?

If you want assistance on homework, please post the problems themselves and tell us what you have tried and what ideas you have that apply to those problems.
 
  • #3


Hi Ron,

I understand that you are struggling with Chapter 16 in your Physics textbook and are having trouble with questions 19, 29, and 49. I would be happy to help you with these problems.

First, let's review the basics of electric charge and electric field. Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter and can be either positive or negative. Like charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract each other. The unit of electric charge is the Coulomb (C).

An electric field is the region surrounding a charged object where its influence can be felt. The strength of an electric field is measured in Newtons per Coulomb (N/C). It is important to note that electric fields always point away from positive charges and towards negative charges.

Now, let's look at the specific problems you mentioned. Question 19 asks you to calculate the electric field at a point between two equal and opposite charges. To solve this problem, you will need to use Coulomb's Law, which states that the force between two charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. You can use this equation to calculate the electric field at any point between the two charges.

Question 29 asks you to find the electric field at a point due to a positive point charge. Again, you can use Coulomb's Law to solve this problem. Remember that the electric field points away from a positive charge, so the direction of the electric field will be away from the point charge.

Lastly, question 49 asks you to find the electric field at a point due to two point charges. In this case, you will need to use the principle of superposition, which states that the total electric field at a point is equal to the sum of the individual electric fields due to each charge.

I hope this helps you with your understanding of electric charge and electric field. If you have any further questions or need more clarification, please don't hesitate to ask. Happy studying!
 

What is electric charge?

Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience an electric force when placed in an electric field. It can be either positive or negative, and like charges repel while opposite charges attract.

What is an electric field?

An electric field is a region in space around a charged object where another charged object experiences a force. It is created by the presence of electric charges and can be either positive or negative.

How is electric charge measured?

Electric charge is measured in a unit called the Coulomb (C). One Coulomb is equivalent to the amount of charge that passes through a wire in one second when a current of one ampere is flowing.

What is the difference between static and current electricity?

Static electricity refers to the buildup of electric charge on the surface of an object, while current electricity is the flow of electric charge through a conductor. In static electricity, the charges are not moving, while in current electricity, the charges are in motion.

What is the relationship between electric charge and electric field?

Electric charge and electric field are closely related. An electric field is created by the presence of electric charges, and charged objects will experience a force when placed in an electric field. The strength of the electric field is directly proportional to the amount of charge present and inversely proportional to the distance from the charge.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
258
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
17
Views
398
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
352
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
28
Views
572
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
215
Back
Top