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MCAT Physics Question — Electric Field

  • by John
  • Jun 10, 2017
  • MCAT Question of the Day

The electric field a distance rA from a positively charged point charge is equal to EA. What is the ratio EB to EA of the electric field at point B a distance of 3rA from the charge?

 

A. EB = 1/9 EA
B. EB = 1/3 EA
C. EB = 3EA
D. EB = 9EA

Click for Explanation
This question asks the examinee to determine the ratio of the electric field due to a point charge as a function of distance. The electric field of a point charge is given by the following equation:

E = kq/r2

Therefore, the ratio of the electric field at point B to point A is equal to:

EB / EA = (kq/rB2) / (kq/rA2) = rA2 / rB2 = rA2 / 9rA2 = 1/9

Thus, EB = 1/ 9 EA making A the correct answer.

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