How is acceleration of a charge in an electric field calculated?

The acceleration of a charge in an electric field can be calculated using the formula derived from Newton's second law of motion and the definition of electric force.

When a charge ( q ) is placed in an electric field ( E ), it experiences a force ( F ) given by the equation ( F = qE ). According to Newton’s second law, this force is also related to the mass ( m ) of the charge and its acceleration ( a ) through the equation ( F = ma ).

By combining these two equations, we set them equal to each other:

[ qE = ma ]

To isolate acceleration ( a ), we can rearrange the equation as follows:

[ a = \frac{qE}{m} ]

This clearly shows that the acceleration of a charge in an electric field is directly proportional to the charge and the electric field strength, and inversely proportional to the mass of the charge.

This understanding aligns with the correct choice, as it articulates the fundamental relationship between electric force, mass, and acceleration in this context.