Question

What are the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of an electron at a point where the electric field has magnitude 7400 N/C and is direction due north? Give your answer using scientific notation.

Answer 1

Answer: a = 1.32 * 10^18m/s² due north

Explanation: The magnitude of the force required to move the electron is given as

F = ma

The force exerted on the charge by the electric field of intensity (E) is given by

F = Eq

Thus

Eq = ma

a = E * q/ m

Where a = acceleration of charge

E = strength of electric field = 7400N/c

q = magnitude of electronic charge = 1.609 * 10^-6c

m = mass of an electronic charge = 9.109 * 10^-31kg

a = 7400 * 1.609 * 10^-16/ 9.109 * 10^-31

a = 11906.6 * 10^-16 / 9.019 * 10^-31

a = 1.19 * 10^-12 / 9.019 * 10^-31

a = 0.132 * 10^19

a = 1.32 * 10^18m/s²

As stated in the question, the direction of the electric field is due north hence, the direction of it force will also be north thus making the electron experience a force due north ( according to Newton second law of motion)