Finding Electric Field from Electric Force and Charge

In summary, the problem involves a uniform electric field between two conducting plates, with a dust grain having a charge of 65nC and experiencing an electric force of 19N. The equation F=qE can be used to find the electric field, with the understanding that this equation only works for uniform E-fields and assumes the field between the plates is uniform. This equation can be compared to the equation F=ma in mechanics, with the proportionality constant being mass for gravity and charge for electricity, and the difference being that electric properties and fields can be negative or positive while mass and gravity fields are always positive.
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Homework Statement


A uniform electric field exists between two conducting plates separated by 1.1mm . A dust grain with charge 65nC between the plates feels a 19N electric force.
Find the electric field.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Can someone please give me an equation or some pointers on this please..

 
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  • #2
[tex]F=qE[/tex]

This equation is a simplified version of the more complex model. It only works for uniform E-fields, and a common simplifying assumption is that a field between two conducting plates is uniform, meaning it should work fine here.

By the way, if you have a decent understanding of mechanics, often a prerequisite to electricity and magnetism, you can analogize this equation with
[tex]F=ma[/tex]
In both, force on some entity is proportional to the field where the entity exists. a is a gravity field and E is an electric field. For gravity, the proportionality constant is known as mass, and for electricity, the proportionality constant is known as charge. There is one major difference of concern when using this analogy: that electric properties of an entity can be negative or positive, and so can the fields produced by electrical entities be either negative or positive. Differently, mass and the fields entities with mass produce are always positive.
 
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1. How do you calculate electric field from electric force and charge?

The electric field can be calculated by dividing the electric force by the charge. The formula for electric field is E = F/Q, where E is the electric field, F is the electric force, and Q is the charge.

2. What is the unit of measurement for electric field?

The unit of measurement for electric field is Newtons per Coulomb (N/C). This represents the amount of force per unit charge at a particular point in space.

3. Can electric field be negative?

Yes, electric field can be negative. This indicates the direction of the force on a negative charge, which would be opposite to the direction of the electric field on a positive charge.

4. How does distance affect electric field?

The electric field is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source charge. This means that as distance increases, the electric field decreases.

5. How can I use electric field to determine the direction of the force on a charge?

The direction of the electric field indicates the direction of the force on a positive test charge. If the test charge is negative, the force will act in the opposite direction of the electric field.

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