Question

m
What is the
the direction and magnitude of
electric field that will balance the
weight of an alpha particle ?
​

Answer 1

Answer:

m

What is the

the direction and magnitude of

electric field that will balance the

weight of an alpha particle ?

Answer 2

Explanation:

What is the magnitude of an electric field which will balance the weight of an electron on the surface of earth?

You can work this out quite easily.

The force of gravity on the electron will be = mg where m is the mass of the electron (about9 x10^-31kg).

Now ther force on an electron due to an electric field (E) is F=qE where q is the charge on an elrctron (about 1.6 x10^-19 C).

equate the two qE= mg

rearrange E = mg/q now substiytute in the values and work out the answer.

You only asked for the magnitude of the field but it is worth mentioning that to supply an upward force on an electron, the electric field must be directed downwards.