Newton per Coulomb

Definition

Newton per coulomb (N/C) is a unit that measures the strength of an electric field, which is the force exerted per unit charge on a stationary test charge placed in that field. It represents the amount of force, measured in newtons, that would be exerted on a charge of one coulomb placed in the electric field.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The electric field strength is directly proportional to the force exerted on a test charge and inversely proportional to the magnitude of the test charge.
2. The direction of the electric field is determined by the direction of the force exerted on a positive test charge.
3. The electric field strength can be calculated by dividing the force exerted on a test charge by the magnitude of the test charge.
4. The electric field strength is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
5. The electric field strength is a fundamental concept in understanding the behavior of charged particles and the interactions between them.

Review Questions

• Explain how the electric field strength, measured in newtons per coulomb, is related to the force exerted on a test charge.
  • The electric field strength, measured in newtons per coulomb (N/C), is directly proportional to the force exerted on a test charge placed in the electric field. Specifically, the force exerted on the test charge is equal to the product of the electric field strength and the magnitude of the test charge. This relationship is expressed mathematically as $\vec{F} = q\vec{E}$, where $\vec{F}$ is the force, $q$ is the magnitude of the test charge, and $\vec{E}$ is the electric field strength. The units of newtons per coulomb for the electric field strength indicate that the force is measured in newtons and the test charge is measured in coulombs.
• Describe how the direction of the electric field, measured in newtons per coulomb, is determined by the direction of the force exerted on a positive test charge.
  • The direction of the electric field, measured in newtons per coulomb (N/C), is determined by the direction of the force exerted on a positive test charge placed in the field. By convention, the electric field is defined to point in the direction of the force experienced by a positive test charge. If a positive test charge is placed in an electric field, it will experience a force in the direction of the field. Conversely, if a negative test charge is placed in the same electric field, it will experience a force in the opposite direction. This directional relationship between the electric field and the force on a test charge is a fundamental principle in understanding the behavior of charged particles in electric fields.
• Analyze how the electric field strength, measured in newtons per coulomb, can be used to calculate the force exerted on a test charge and vice versa.
  • The electric field strength, measured in newtons per coulomb (N/C), can be used to calculate the force exerted on a test charge, and the force exerted on a test charge can be used to calculate the electric field strength. This relationship is expressed by the equation $\vec{F} = q\vec{E}$, where $\vec{F}$ is the force, $q$ is the magnitude of the test charge, and $\vec{E}$ is the electric field strength. Rearranging this equation, we can solve for the electric field strength as $\vec{E} = \vec{F}/q$, which shows that the electric field strength is equal to the force divided by the test charge. This allows us to determine the electric field strength at a given point in space by measuring the force exerted on a test charge of known magnitude. Conversely, we can use the known electric field strength and the magnitude of a test charge to calculate the force exerted on that charge.

Related terms

Electric Field: The electric field is a vector field that describes the force exerted on a stationary electric charge at any given point in space.

Coulomb: The coulomb (C) is the SI unit of electric charge, and it is the amount of electric charge carried by a constant current of one ampere flowing for one second.

Newton: The newton (N) is the SI unit of force, and it is the amount of force required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram at a rate of one meter per second squared.