the intensity and direction of the electric field produced by an alpha particle at a distance of 5.0 x10^-11m from the particle is
[1.2x10^12 N/C away from the alpha particle]
how do you get the direction?
thanks
What charge is an alpha particle?
By definition, what is the direction of any E field? Answer; the direction a + test charge will follow.
Well, it seems like the alpha particle has quite the electric personality! The direction of the electric field it produces can be determined by using the principle of opposites attracting. Since an alpha particle has a positive charge, the direction of the electric field it produces will be away from itself, which means it points away from the alpha particle. So, in this case, the electric field is directed away from the alpha particle.
To determine the direction of the electric field, we need to consider the nature of the alpha particle and how it carries an electric charge. Alpha particles are composed of two protons and two neutrons, giving them a charge of +2e, where e is the elementary charge.
According to Coulomb's Law, the electric field intensity (E) produced by a charged particle at a distance (r) from the particle is given by the equation:
E = k * (q / r^2)
where k is Coulomb's constant (k ≈ 9 × 10^9 N*m^2/C^2), q is the charge of the particle, and r is the distance from the particle.
Given that the alpha particle carries a charge of +2e and the distance is 5.0 × 10^-11 m, we can calculate the electric field intensity using the formula above:
E = (9 × 10^9 N*m^2/C^2) * (2e / (5.0 × 10^-11 m)^2)
Evaluating the above expression, we find:
E ≈ 1.2 × 10^12 N/C
This value tells us the magnitude or intensity of the electric field produced by the alpha particle. Since the question states that the field is "away from the alpha particle," the direction of the electric field is pointing outward or away from the particle.
To determine the direction of the electric field produced by an alpha particle, you can use the principle that positive charges repel each other.
Here's how to get the direction:
1. Identify that an alpha particle is a positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons.
2. Remember that electric field lines are always directed away from positive charges and towards negative charges.
3. Since the alpha particle is positively charged, the electric field lines will be directed away from the alpha particle.
4. In this case, since the question states that the electric field is directed away from the alpha particle, it confirms our understanding that the electric field will be directed away from the particle.
In summary, the direction of the electric field produced by an alpha particle at a distance of 5.0 x 10^-11m is away from the particle.