A positive test charge of [tex]$1.0 \times 10^{-6} \, C[tex]$[/tex] is placed in an electric field. The force on the test charge is [tex]$[/tex]0.04 \, N$[/tex]. What is the electric field intensity at the location of the test charge?

A. [tex]3.0 \times 10^{-5} \, N/C[/tex]
B. [tex]4.0 \times 10^4 \, N/C[/tex]
C. [tex]6.0 \times 10^4 \, N/C[/tex]
D. [tex]4.0 \times 10^5 \, N/C[/tex]



Answer :

To determine the electric field intensity at the location of the test charge, we use the relationship defined by Coulomb's Law for electric fields. The electric field intensity \( E \) can be calculated using the formula:

[tex]\[ E = \frac{F}{q} \][/tex]

where:
- \( F \) is the force experienced by the test charge
- \( q \) is the magnitude of the test charge

Given in the problem:
- The force \( F \) on the test charge is \( 0.04 \) Newtons (\( N \)).
- The test charge \( q \) is \( 1.0 \times 10^{-6} \) Coulombs (\( C \)).

Now substituting these values into the formula:

[tex]\[ E = \frac{F}{q} = \frac{0.04 \, \text{N}}{1.0 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{C}} \][/tex]

To simplify this, we perform the division:

[tex]\[ E = \frac{0.04}{1.0 \times 10^{-6}} = \frac{0.04}{0.000001} = 40000 \, \text{N/C} \][/tex]

Thus, the electric field intensity at the location of the test charge is:

[tex]\[ 4.0 \times 10^4 \, \text{N/C} \][/tex]

Therefore, the correct answer is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{4.0 \times 10^4 \, \text{N/C}} \][/tex]

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