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College Physics (Urone)
Found in: Page 661
College Physics (Urone)

College Physics (Urone)

Book edition 1st Edition
Author(s) Paul Peter Urone
Pages 1272 pages
ISBN 9781938168000

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Short Answer

Are the direction and magnitude of the Coulomb force unique at a given point in space? What about the electric field?

No, at a given point the coulomb force cannot be unique. Where as the magnitude and direction of electric field at a given point is unique.

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Step by Step Solution

TABLE OF CONTENTS :
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Step 1: Electrostatic force and electric field

Coulomb stated that when two-point charges are separated by some distance in space, they experience force of attraction or repulsion due to the presence of another charge. This force of attraction or repulsion is known as electrostatic force.

Electric field is defined as the electrostatic force acting on a test charge.

Step 2: Uniqueness of direction and magnitude of Coulomb force

The Coulomb force can have different directions, depending upon whether the two charges are similar or different in signs. Also, its magnitude depends on the value of charge placed at the point where we need to find force.

Hence, the direction and magnitude of Coulomb force is not unique in space.

Step 3: Uniqueness of direction and magnitude of electric field

The electric field for a positive point charge is always directed radially outward and the electric field for a negative point charge is always directed radially inward. It is not affected by the charge that is placed at the point where we need to find the electric field.

Hence, the direction and magnitude of the electric field is always unique in space.

Most popular questions for Physics Textbooks

Compare and contrast the Coulomb force field and the electric field. To do this, make a list of five properties for the Coulomb force field analogous to the five properties listed for electric field lines. Compare each item in your list of Coulomb force field properties with those of the electric field—are they the same or different? (For example, electric field lines cannot cross. Is the same true for Coulomb field lines?)

What is the magnitude and direction of the force exerted on a 3.50 μC charge by a 250 N/C electric field that points due east?

Figure 18.57 shows an electron passing between two charged metal plates that create an \(100{\rm{ N}}/{\rm{C}}\) vertical electric field perpendicular to the electron’s original horizontal velocity. (These can be used to change the electron’s direction, such as in an oscilloscope.) The initial speed of the electron is \(3.00 \times {10^6}{\rm{ m}}/{\rm{s}}\), and the horizontal distance it travels in the uniform field is \(4.00{\rm{ cm}}\). (a) What is its vertical deflection? (b) What is the vertical component of its final velocity? (c) At what angle does it exit? Neglect any edge effects.

The practical limit to an electric field in air is about \(3.00 \times {10^6}{\rm{ N}}/{\rm{C}}\). Above this strength, sparking takes place because air begins to ionize and charges flow, reducing the field. (a) Calculate the distance a free proton must travel in this field to reach \(3.00\% \) of the speed of light, starting from rest. (b) Is this practical in air, or must it occur in a vacuum?

(a) What is the direction and magnitude of an electric field that supports the weight of a free electron near the surface of Earth? (b) Discuss what the small value for this field implies regarding the relative strength of the gravitational and electrostatic forces.
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