An electron experiences an electric force of 0.75 nN.
What's the field strength at its location?
E= N/C
How do I solve this problem?
To solve this problem, you need to use the equation that relates electric force and electric field strength:
Electric force (F) = Electric field strength (E) × Charge (q)
Since we are given the electric force (F) on the electron, which is 0.75 nN (nanonewtons), and charge (q) of an electron is a fundamental constant equal to -1.6 × 10^-19 C (coulombs), we can rearrange the equation to solve for electric field strength (E):
E = F / q
Plug in the values:
E = 0.75 nN / (-1.6 × 10^-19 C)
Now you need to convert nanonewtons (nN) to newtons (N). Since there are 1 billion nanonewtons in a newton, we multiply by 10^-9:
E = (0.75 × 10^-9 N) / (-1.6 × 10^-19 C)
Now divide the numerator and denominator by 10^-19 C:
E = (0.75 × 10^-9 N) / (-1.6) = -0.46875 × 10^-9 N
Finally, express the result in scientific notation:
E = -4.6875 × 10^-10 N/C
So, the electric field strength at the location of the electron is -4.6875 × 10^-10 N/C. Note that the negative sign indicates that the electric field is in the opposite direction of the force experienced by the electron.