A force of 8.4 N is exerted on a -8.8µC charge in a downward direction. What is the magnitude and direction of the field?

How would I set up this problem?

Force= Eq
solve for E.

To solve this problem, you need to rearrange the equation Force = Eq to solve for E, which represents the magnitude of the electric field.

The equation tells us that the force (F) exerted on a charged object is equal to the product of the electric field (E) and the charge (q) of the object. In this case, the force is given as 8.4 N, and the charge is given as -8.8 µC.

Therefore, rearranging the equation:

Force = Eq

E = Force / q

Substituting the given values:

E = 8.4 N / (-8.8 x 10^-6 C)

Now, we can calculate the magnitude and direction of the electric field:

1. Calculate the magnitude:

E = 8.4 N / (-8.8 x 10^-6 C)

E ≈ -9.55 x 10^12 N/C

The magnitude of the electric field is approximately 9.55 x 10^12 N/C.

2. Determine the direction:

The negative sign in the charge (-8.8 µC) indicates that the charge is negative. In electrostatics, the electric field lines point in the direction opposite to the direction in which a negative charge would move.

Therefore, the direction of the electric field in this case is upward.

In conclusion, the magnitude of the electric field is approximately 9.55 x 10^12 N/C, and the direction is upward.