Acceleration in Electric Field Calculator
Formula Used
The acceleration of a charged particle in an electric field is calculated using the following formula, derived from Newton’s Second Law (F=ma) and the formula for electric force (F = qE):
Where:
a = Acceleration (m/s²)
q = Particle’s charge (Coulombs)
E = Electric field strength (N/C)
m = Particle’s mass (kg)
How to Use This Calculator
To find the acceleration, simply follow these steps:
- Enter the strength of the Electric Field (E) in Newtons per Coulomb (N/C).
- Input the Particle’s Charge (q) in Coulombs (C). For an electron, this is approximately 1.602 x 10⁻¹⁹ C.
- Provide the Particle’s Mass (m) in kilograms (kg). For an electron, this is about 9.109 x 10⁻³¹ kg.
- Click the “Calculate” button to see the result.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is acceleration in an electric field?
It is the rate at which a charged particle’s velocity changes when it is
placed in an electric field. The field exerts a force on the particle,
causing it to accelerate.
What direction is the acceleration?
The direction depends on the charge. A positive charge accelerates in the
same direction as the electric field, while a negative charge accelerates
in the opposite direction.
Does the calculator handle both positive and negative charges?
Yes. Simply enter the charge ‘q’ as a positive or negative value, and the
calculator will compute the magnitude of the acceleration. The sign of
your result indicates direction relative to the field.
Related Articles
Explore more concepts in physics with our other calculators: