## anonymous one year ago Someone Help!! An electron with a charge of -1.6 x 10^-19 coulombs experiences a field of 1.4 x 10^5 newtons/coulomb. What is the magnitude of the electric force on this electron due to this field? If you could please show the steps, I would be very appreciative! :)

1. anonymous

You can start with the expression for the electric force, the force acting upon a charged particle when immersed in an electric field: $\vec F = q \vec E$ from that you can get the magnitude of the force as the product of the charge times the magnitude of the electric field...

2. anonymous

Okay...so the equation would look something like...this?: 1.4 x 10^5 = -1.6 x 10^-19(E)

3. Astrophysics

No, you're given the Electric field not the force.

4. anonymous

Oh! So F = -1.6 x 10^-19 * 1.4 x 10^5 would be the correct format?

5. Astrophysics

Yes, and since your charge is negative, it means the electric force and field are in opposite directions.

6. Astrophysics

But your question is asking for the magnitude, so I guess you don't need to worry about the direction.

7. anonymous

I'm trying to calculate, but it's giving me -2.24e-14, am I doing something wrong? You have to convert the two parts into decimal form, correct?

8. anonymous

i get the same number for the force magnitude: $$F=2.24\times 10^{-14}N$$

9. Astrophysics

For the magnitude it's best you take the absolute value as @Greg_D has presented.

10. anonymous

In the answers they have to choose from, I believe 2.2 x 10^-14N would be the closest? Thank you so much, the both of you :)

11. anonymous

yes, that is what you get if you round to 1 decimal figure. good work!

12. Astrophysics

Nice :)