Uniform Electric Field Upward Electric Force Equals Weight. HELP

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SUMMARY

An object with a charge of -3.6 µC and a mass of 0.012 kg experiences an upward electric force equal to its weight in a uniform electric field. The electric field's direction is negative, indicating it acts downward, with a magnitude of -3.3 x 10^4 N/C. When the charge is doubled, the acceleration of the object is 9.81 m/s² in the y direction. This is derived from the relationship between electric force and gravitational force, where the electric force equals the product of the electric field and charge.

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1. An object with a charge of -3.6uC and a mass of .012kg experiences an upward electric force, due to a uniform electric field, equal in magnitude to its weight. (a) Find the direction and magnitude of the electric field. (b) If the electric charge on the object is doubled while its mass remains the same, find the direction and magnitude of its acceleration.
2. E=kQ/r(sqrd)
k=8.99 x 10^9 N*m^2/C^2
magnitude of electron's charge (e): 1.60 x 10 ^ -19 C

3. Attempt
W=mg
W= (.012kg)(10)
W=.12N

Upward force equal to magnitude in weight so...
W= W=kQ/r(sqrd)
.12N + (8.99 x 10^9) [(-3.6uC)(1.6 x 10^-19])/(r^2)
Solve for r
r=-431.52

Plug r into E equation to find electric charge.
E=kQ/r(sqrd)
E=(8.99 x 10^9) [(-3.6uC)(1.6 x 10^-9)]/(-431.52^2)
E= -51.7824/-431.52^2
E= -2.78 x 10 ^ -4

I have no idea about part b. Is it always equal to gravity? Is that how they found the answer.

Correct answer from book:
a) (-3.3 x 10^4 N/C) y direction
b) (9.81 m/s^2) y direction
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In the electric field force on a charge is equal to E*q
Hence mg = E*q. Now solve for E.
 

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