Adroplet of ink in an industrial ink-jet printer carries a charge of 1.6 x 10–11 coulombs and is deflected onto paper by a force of 3.2 x 10–4 newtons. find the strength of the electric field to produce this force.

The Strength of the electric field produced =  2 × 10⁷ N/C

Explanation:

Electric Field: This is defined as the region where an electric force is experienced.

Electric Field Strength: The intensity of an electric field at any point is defined as the force per unit charge which it exert at that point. It direction is that of  the force exerted on a positive charge.

It is represented mathematically as,

E = F/Q Equation 1

Where E = Electric field strength, F = electric force, Q = test charge.

Given: F = 3.2 × 10⁻⁴ N, Q = 1.6 × 10⁻¹¹ C

Substituting these values into equation 1

E= 3.2 × 10⁻⁴/1.6 × 10⁻¹¹

E= 2 × 10⁷ N/C

Thus the Strength of the electric field produced =  2 × 10⁷ N/C