Homework Help: Electrostatics question

1. May 20, 2013

huzzi.123

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A particle of charge +q is a distance r away from a charged flat surface and experiences a force of magnitude F pulling it toward the surface. What is the magnitude of the force exerted on a particle of charge +q that is a distance 2r from the surface?

2. Relevant equations

F=KQ1Q2/r^2
E=F/q
E=Kq/r^2

3. The attempt at a solution

The coulomb's formula seems to fit in i.e F=KQ1Q2/r^2
but I stopped solving it further since Q2 or the value of any other charge isn't mentioned in a question. Anyone please help me do this question?

Thanks.

2. May 20, 2013

kontejnjer

Well the question seems rather ambiguous as it doesn't say whether the plate is infinite in area, and if it isn't, just how large is it compared to the distance $r$. If you assume it's the former, and also assume the charge distribution on it is homogenous, you should start by finding the electric field due to the plate at an arbitrary distance from it using Gauss's law, and then find the force using the equation $\vec{F}=q\vec{E}$ (you can also find the field using Coulomb's law, but the procedure is a bit more complicated).

3. May 20, 2013

huzzi.123

You mean by applying the formula ; E= charge density/permittivity?

4. May 20, 2013

The answer should be F/4, isn't it?

5. May 20, 2013

CAF123

I agree with kontejnjer: If you assume an infinite plate with uniform charge distribution, then you can find the E-field it produces using Gauss' Law. It is not quite the result you stated above.

6. May 20, 2013

huzzi.123

That's what I got after working out my intuition but unfortunately this isn't a right answer.