Electric Field Calculations: Speed and Zero Points | Help Needed

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the speed of a particle in an electric field and finding points where the electric field is zero. The user is attempting to determine the speed of a particle parallel to the electric field using energy integration, specifically integrating the electric field E with respect to z. The second question involves locating finite values where the electric field is zero, given a +q charge at the origin and a -2q charge at x=5.8m, using the equation kq/r². The user struggles with the quadratic equation derived from this setup and seeks clarification on the correct approach.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and forces, specifically the equation m(dv/dt) = qE.
  • Familiarity with energy concepts in physics, particularly kinetic energy (1/2 mv²).
  • Knowledge of integration techniques in physics, especially integrating electric fields.
  • Proficiency in solving quadratic equations and applying the quadratic formula.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the integration of electric fields and its application in calculating particle speed.
  • Study the conditions for electric field equilibrium and how to derive zero points in electric fields.
  • Practice solving quadratic equations in the context of electric forces and potentials.
  • Explore the relationship between electric potential and electric fields, focusing on potential energy calculations.
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, particularly those studying electromagnetism, as well as educators and tutors assisting learners with electric field calculations and energy concepts.

cnugrl
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I'm not sure if this has been asked, but i am in major need of help. i have 2 questions. first is determining the speed of a particle when the speed is parallel to the electric field. i talked to my prof. and he suggested finding the energy, U, and by integrating E with respect to z, by doing so, that left me with E*z from Zinitial (1-cos(theta)*L) to Zfinal(0). after doing this, i st this equal to 1/2 mv^2. to solve for the velocity, however, i am not getting the correct answer. :mad: and I'm getting frustrated. does anyone know where i am going wrong?

my second question is finding finite value(s) where an electric field is zero. by having a +q charge at the orgin and a -2q charge at x=5.8m. my professor told me to use kq/r^2 and where q is and q or -2q and r is x and x-d respectively where d is 5.8 m. i solving and put the equation = 0, and used the quadratic formula to get the answer. However, i am not getting this correct, when i solve for x i get x^2+2xd-d^2. i have used various other ways of trying to get this answer correct, by changing the signs and and i am still getting incorrect answers. I need to do the same with electric potential, but i do not understand how i can get 2 answers from a linear equation. i am getting d-3x where d =5.8 m. :confused:
if anyone could help, i would appreciate it so much
 
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cnugrl said:
I'm not sure if this has been asked, but i am in major need of help. i have 2 questions. first is determining the speed of a particle when the speed is parallel to the electric field. i talked to my prof. and he suggested finding the energy, U, and by integrating E with respect to z, by doing so, that left me with E*z from Zinitial (1-cos(theta)*L) to Zfinal(0). after doing this, i st this equal to 1/2 mv^2. to solve for the velocity, however, i am not getting the correct answer. :mad: and I'm getting frustrated. does anyone know where i am going wrong?


Who's "Z"...?

The equation is:
[tex]m\frac{d\vec{v}}{dt}=q\vec{E}[/tex]

If the acceleration has the sense with the velocity (the sense of the acc.is the same with the one of the electric field for a positively cherged particle),then project the previous relation on an axis and integrate wrt to corresponding limits...

cnugrl said:
my second question is finding finite value(s) where an electric field is zero. by having a +q charge at the orgin and a -2q charge at x=5.8m. my professor told me to use kq/r^2 and where q is and q or -2q and r is x and x-d respectively where d is 5.8 m. i solving and put the equation = 0, and used the quadratic formula to get the answer. However, i am not getting this correct, when i solve for x i get x^2+2xd-d^2. i have used various other ways of trying to get this answer correct, by changing the signs and and i am still getting incorrect answers. I need to do the same with electric potential, but i do not understand how i can get 2 answers from a linear equation. i am getting d-3x where d =5.8 m. :confused:
if anyone could help, i would appreciate it so much

No,on normal basis it should reduce to a quadratic...

Daniel.
 
Z is the limit bounds...initial to final. plus, i was using it as a variable to integrate on
 

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