Question

In a thundercloud there may be electric charges of 45.0 C near the top of the cloud and -45.0 C near the bottom of the cloud. These charges are separated by 2.30 km. What is the electric force on the top charge?

Answer 1

Answer:

The electric force on the top charge is $F=3.44\times 10^6\ N$.

Explanation:

Given that,

Electric charges in a thundercloud, $q_1=q_2=45\ C$

The distance between charges, d = 2.3 km = 2300 m

Let F is the electric force on the top charge. The electric force is given by the formula as :

$F=\dfrac{kq^2}{d^2}$

$F=\dfrac{9\times 10^9\times (45)^2}{(2300)^2}$

$F=3445179.58\ N$

or

$F=3.44\times 10^6\ N$

So, the electric force on the top charge is $F=3.44\times 10^6\ N$. Hence, this is the required solution.