An isolated point charge is fixed at the origin of a coordinate system in deep space

PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Electric Force Field and Potential · Electric Force Field and Potential

Problem

An isolated point charge

Q

is fixed at the origin of a coordinate system in deep space. A sensor consisting of a

+5.0 \times 10^{-9}\,\text{C}

test charge is placed at the point (

0.40\,\text{m}

0

). The sensor experiences an electric force of

2.8 \times 10^{-4}\,\text{N}

directed toward the negative

x

-direction. (1) Part 1: Calculate the magnitude of

Q

. (2) Part 2: Determine the algebraic sign of

Q

and justify your answer using the given information. (3) Part 3: Find the magnitude of the electric field at the sensor’s location.