I Raindrops acquire an electric charge as they fall. Suppose...

I Raindrops acquire an electric charge as they fall. Suppose a 2.0-mm-diameter drop has a charge of $+12 \mathrm{pC} ;$ these are both very common values. In a thunderstorm, the electric field under a cloud can reach $15,000 \mathrm{N} / \mathrm{C},$ directed upward. For a droplet exposed to this field, how do the magnitude and direction of the electric force compare to those of the weight force?

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Key Concepts

Volume of a Sphere and Density

Determining the mass of a spherical object involves calculating its volume using the formula V = (4/3)?r³ and then multiplying by the material's density. This concept is crucial for relating an object's size to its mass in various force calculations.

Electric Force

This force is exerted on a charged particle in an electric field. It is calculated using the equation F = qE, where q is the charge and E is the strength of the electric field. The direction of the force depends on the sign of the charge relative to the direction of the field.

Gravitational Force (Weight)

Weight is the force due to gravity acting on an object's mass, calculated using F = mg, where m is the mass and g is the acceleration due to gravity. This force always acts downward near the Earth's surface.

Force Comparison and Direction

In physics, comparing forces involves assessing both the magnitudes and the directions. A force may be larger or smaller in magnitude than another, and their directions (e.g., upward vs downward) determine the net effect on a particle's motion.

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