Electric field for point charge

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric field produced by a charged plate that allows a piece of aluminum foil, with a known charge, to hover above it. The context is centered around electric fields and forces acting on charged objects.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of gravitational force and its relation to the electric force acting on the charged aluminum foil. Questions arise regarding the units used in the calculations and the correctness of the gravitational force value.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants questioning the initial calculations and exploring the correct interpretation of units. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet, but clarification on the units of force is being sought.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the electric field is uniform and that the aluminum foil can be treated as a point charge. There is a focus on ensuring the correct application of physical laws and units in the calculations.

tuggler
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Homework Statement




You charge a piece of aluminum foil (mass = 4.65 g) by touching it to a charged rod. The charged rod gives the aluminum foil a charge of 10 µC. Your professor brings a charged plate over and tells you to put the aluminum foil on top of the plate. To your surprise the aluminum foil hovers motionless in the air above it! Calculate the value of the electric field from the charged plate (assume it is a uniform field and the aluminum foil is a point charge).

Homework Equations



F = Eq and F = ma



The Attempt at a Solution



What I did was first calculate the gravitational force with the equation F = ma = (9.8m/s^2)(4.65g) = 45.6 N. Then I use the equation [tex]F = Eq \implies E= F/q[/tex], where E = electric field, q = charge, and F = force.

Thus F = 45.6, q = 10e-6 [tex]\implies[/tex] 45.6N/(10e-6 µC ) = 455700 N/C.

But it is wrong. What did I do wrong? Thanks in advance!
 
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tuggler said:
What I did was first calculate the gravitational force with the equation F = ma = (9.8m/s^2)(4.65g) = 45.6 N.

Do grams times meters per seconds squared give Newtons?
 
No, it does not, but kilograms over s^2 does.
 
So what's the correct weight then?
 
It is 4557 N/C. THANKS!
 

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