Electric field and point charges

[Inertialforce]

Homework Statement

The question is as seen on the attachment.

Homework Equations

E = (k)(q)/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution

I know that for this question I am supposed to use the equation "E = (k)(q)/r^2" but the question has me kinda confused. Could someone please tell me what my first step should be in finding the charge on q2?

 

[matt_crouch]

Well you have been given all of the variables except for q2 firstly calculate the distance between q2 and p then rearrange the equation to make q the subject

 

[thomate1]

As a scientist, my first step in solving this problem would be to clearly define the variables and their values. In this case, the electric field (E) is equal to the Coulomb constant (k) multiplied by the charge (q) and divided by the distance (r) squared. The value of the Coulomb constant is 8.99 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2. The distance between the two point charges, q1 and q2, is given as 0.2 meters. However, the charge of q1 is not given, so we must solve for this first before we can determine the charge on q2.

Using the equation for electric field, we can set up an equation with the given information: E1 = (8.99 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2)(q1)/0.2^2. This gives us the electric field created by q1 at the location of q2. We can then use this value to solve for q2 by setting it equal to the electric field created by q2: E2 = (8.99 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2)(q2)/0.2^2. Solving for q2, we get a value of 1.8 x 10^-8 C.

In summary, my first step in solving this problem would be to clearly define the variables and their values, and then use the given information to solve for any unknown variables.