The earth has a net electric charge which results in an electric field near its

Question

The earth has a net electric charge which results in an electric field near its surface of magnitude E= 150 N C^-1, and direction vertically downwards. (a) What magnitude and sign of charge would a person weighing 50 kg need to have to overcome the pull of gravity? (b) If two 50-kg people, separated by a horizontal distance of 1 km, acquire the charge calculated in part (a), what would be the force of repulsion between them? What acceleration would they experience? (Express this in terms of the acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.81 ms^2.) (c) Explain why this method of flight would not be practical.

Explanation / Answer

a) since the electric field is directed vertically downwards, the charge will be negative

qE = mg

q * 150 = 50*9.8

q = 3.267 C

charge = -3.267 C

b) F = Gm1m2 / r^2

= 6.67*10^-11 *50 * 50 / 1000^2

= 1.6675*10^-13 N

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