1. What is an Electric Field Force Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the force experienced by a charged particle in an electric field using Coulomb's law.

Purpose: It helps students and professionals in physics and electrical engineering calculate forces in electrostatic systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Force (Newtons)
• \( q \) — Charge (Coulombs)
• \( E \) — Electric field strength (Newtons per Coulomb)

Explanation: The force on a charged particle is directly proportional to both its charge and the strength of the electric field.

3. Importance of Electric Force Calculation

Details: Understanding electric forces is crucial for designing electrical systems, analyzing particle behavior, and solving electrostatic problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the charge in Coulombs and electric field strength in N/C. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the direction of the force?
A: The force direction depends on the charge sign - positive charges experience force in field direction, negative charges opposite.

Q2: What's a typical charge value?
A: Elementary charge is ~1.6×10⁻¹⁹ C. Macroscopic objects may have microcoulombs (10⁻⁶ C) to millicoulombs (10⁻³ C).

Q3: What are typical electric field strengths?
A: Earth's field ~100 N/C downward, inside atoms ~10¹¹ N/C, between capacitor plates ~10⁶ N/C.

Q4: Does this work for point charges?
A: Yes, but for point charges creating the field, use Coulomb's Law directly (F = kq₁q₂/r²).

Q5: What if my charge is negative?
A: The calculator gives magnitude. Direction would be opposite the field direction for negative charges.