1. What is the Electric Force Formula?

Definition: This calculator computes the electric force exerted on a charged particle in an electric field using the formula F = q × E.

Purpose: It helps physics students and engineers calculate the force experienced by a charge in an electric field without involving acceleration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Electric force (Newtons, N)
• \( q \) — Electric charge (Coulombs, C)
• \( E \) — Electric field strength (Newtons per Coulomb, N/C)

Explanation: The force is calculated by multiplying the charge by the electric field strength at that point.

3. Importance of Electric Force Calculation

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

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the direction of the electric force?
A: The force direction is same as the field direction for positive charges, opposite for negative charges.

Q2: How is this different from F=ma?
A: This is specifically for electric forces, while F=ma describes Newton's second law for acceleration.

Q3: What's a typical charge value?
A: Elementary charge is ~1.6×10⁻¹⁹ C. Macroscopic objects may have charges in microcoulombs (10⁻⁶ C) range.

Q4: What are common electric field strengths?
A: Earth's field ~100 N/C downward, while breakdown field in air is ~3×10⁶ N/C.

Q5: Can this be used for point charges?
A: Yes, if you know the field at the charge's location. For multiple charges, use Coulomb's Law.