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

Short Answer

Expert verified

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.

Step by step solution

01

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.

02

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.

03

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.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Consider two insulating balls with evenly distributed equal and opposite charges on their surfaces, held with a certain distance between the centers of the balls. Construct a problem in which you calculate the electric field (magnitude and direction) due to the balls at various points along a line running through the centers of the balls and extending to infinity on either side. Choose interesting points and comment on the meaning of the field at those points. For example, at what points might the field be just that due to one ball and where does the field become negligibly small? Among the things to be considered are the magnitudes of the charges and the distance between the centers of the balls. Your instructor may wish for you to consider the electric field off axis or for a more complex array of charges, such as those in a water molecule.

Common static electricity involves charges ranging from nanocoulombs to microcoulombs. (a) How many electrons are needed to form a charge of –2.00 nC (b) How many electrons must be removed from a neutral object to leave a net charge of 0.500 µC?

(a) Common transparent tape becomes charged when pulled from a dispenser. If one piece is placed above another, the repulsive force can be great enough to support the top piece’s weight. Assuming equal point charges (only an approximation), calculate the magnitude of the charge if electrostatic force is great enough to support the weight of a\[{\bf{10}}.{\bf{0}}{\rm{ mg}}\]piece of tape held\[{\bf{1}}.0{\bf{0}}{\rm{ cm}}\]above another. (b) Discuss whether the magnitude of this charge is consistent with what is typical of static electricity.

If the electric field lines in the figure above were perpendicular to the object, would it necessarily be a conductor? Explain.

Using Figure, explain, in terms of Coulomb’s law, why a polar molecule (such as in Figure 18.43) is attracted by both positive and negative charges.

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