Solving the Mystery of the Electric Bird

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the electric force acting on a charged bird in a vertical electric field of 5000 N/C. The bird has a charge of 0.0001 C. The electric force can be determined using the formula F = E * q, where F is the electric force, E is the electric field strength, and q is the charge. The resulting force is 0.5 N directed upwards, confirming that the approach of using the electric field strength multiplied by the charge is correct.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and forces
  • Knowledge of basic physics equations, specifically F = E * q
  • Familiarity with the concepts of charge and its units (Coulombs)
  • Basic trigonometry, including the law of sines
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between electric fields and forces in physics
  • Learn about the properties of electric charge and Coulomb's law
  • Explore applications of the law of sines in physics problems
  • Investigate the effects of electric fields on charged particles
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism, as well as educators looking for practical examples of electric force calculations.

Lavas
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Homework Statement



A bird has gathered electrical charge of .0001C by rubbing against another bird(I have no idea why the bird is doing this but...) and it is flying to a certain point where there is a thunderstorm brewing and a vertical electrical field of 5000N/C. What is the electrical force on the bird.

Homework Equations


Pythagorean equation
law of sines


The Attempt at a Solution


find the length of the third side of the triangle and use law of sines to find the angle of the force but I'm not sure if this is what it is asking for.
 
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Hello Lavas,

I think you might be overthinking this one. If the charged bird is in a uniform electric field, then the electric force is simply the electric field strength times the charge (in the direction of the electric field).
 
so simply .5 in the upwards direction
 

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