Question

9. From this lab, we learn that the electric field and electric potential depend on both, the magnitude of the source charge (q), and the distance from the source charge (r). If we were to increase the magnitude of our source charge from 1 nC to 5 nC, then the magnitudes of the electric field and electric potential would be ____.(you can test this on the animation by dragging five 1 nC charges on top of each other and measuring E and V at a distance of 1 m)

Answer 1

Answer:

the electric field and the electric potential increase 5 times

Explanation:

The electric field created by a point charge is

         E = k q / r²

in this case the charge changes from q₁ = 1 10⁺⁰ C to q₂ = 5 10⁻⁹ C

with the electric field is proportional to the charge

         E₅ = 5 E₁

the electrical power for a point charge is

         V = k q / r

as the electric power is proportional to the charge

         V₅ = 5 V₁

consequently both the electric field and the electric potential increase 5 times