JAMB - Physics (2001 - No. 19)

A student is at a height 4m above the ground during a thunderstorm. Given that the potential difference between the thundercloud and the ground is 10\(^7\)V, the electric field created by the storm is
\(2.0\times 10^6 NC^{-1}\)
\(2.5\times 10^6 NC^{-1}\)
\(1.0\times 10^7 NC^{-1}\)
\(4.0\times 10^7 NC^{-1}\)

Explanation

 E = \(\frac{V}{d}\)

  • E is the electric field (in volts per meter, V/m),
  • V is the potential difference (in volts, V),
  • d is the distance between the two points (in meters, m)
  • Given:  Potential difference V = 10\(^7\) 
  • Height d = 4m

That is,  E = \(\frac{10^7}{4} = 2.5\times 10^6 NC^{-1}\)

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