- #1
jbyolo101
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New user has been reminded to show their work on schoolwork problems
- Homework Statement
- Have attached image with the questions, this is so confusing for me.
- Relevant Equations
- ?
Sketch the Electric Field at point "A" due to the two point charges
- Thread starter jbyolo101
- Start date
In summary, the conversation was about a problem involving Coulomb's law, Superposition Principle, 2D vector algebra, and geometry. The person asking the question was struggling with finding the direction and magnitude of the electric field at point A due to point B and point C. They were advised to use trigonometry and to carefully consider Coulomb's Law in finding the resultant of the two arrows representing the electric fields. The person admitted they may have drawn the arrows incorrectly and needed guidance on adding them to get the resultant.
- #2
- 41,384
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Do you understand the question? Per forum rules, you need to show some attempt, or at the least describe what is stopping you.
Can you at least say what direction the field at point A will be from the charge at point B?
For relevant equations, you must have been taught an equation for the magnitude of the field at distance r from charge q.
Can you at least say what direction the field at point A will be from the charge at point B?
For relevant equations, you must have been taught an equation for the magnitude of the field at distance r from charge q.
- #3
Delta2
Gold Member
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- 2,625
Tell us at least that you know Coulomb's Law for electrostatics, otherwise I don't think we can help you.
This problem involves Coulomb's law, Superposition Principle, 2D vector algebra and some geometry.
For which of the above 4 sub sections you think you have a problem with?
This problem involves Coulomb's law, Superposition Principle, 2D vector algebra and some geometry.
For which of the above 4 sub sections you think you have a problem with?
Last edited:
- #4
rsk
- 289
- 260
Start by drawing an arrow to represent the electric field at A due to B only. Direction is important but magnitude not yet.
Once you've done that, draw an arrow to represent the electric field at A due to C only. How will it differ from the field due to B in direction? How will its magnitude compare to that due to B? (be careful, think of Coulomb's Law and about how field strength varies with distance).
Now you just have to find the resultant of your two arrows.
Once you've done that, draw an arrow to represent the electric field at A due to C only. How will it differ from the field due to B in direction? How will its magnitude compare to that due to B? (be careful, think of Coulomb's Law and about how field strength varies with distance).
Now you just have to find the resultant of your two arrows.
- #5
jbyolo101
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- 0
I think I’ve done it wrong :/
- #6
- 6,876
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check trigonometry.
- #7
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It's not entirely wrong so far. You could have drawn the arrows more to scale. Which one should be longer than the other and by what factor? Do you know how to add the two arrows to get the resultant? Please note: Angle BAC is not 30o as you show in the drawing.jbyolo101 said:
1. What is the formula for calculating the electric field at a point due to two point charges?
The formula for calculating the electric field at a point due to two point charges is: E = k(q1/r1^2 + q2/r2^2), where E is the electric field, k is the Coulomb's constant, q1 and q2 are the magnitudes of the point charges, and r1 and r2 are the distances from the point charges to the point of interest.
2. How do the magnitudes and distances of the point charges affect the electric field at point "A"?
The magnitudes of the point charges directly affect the strength of the electric field at point "A". The larger the magnitude of the point charges, the stronger the electric field will be. The distances of the point charges also play a role in the electric field at point "A". The closer the point charges are to point "A", the stronger the electric field will be.
3. What is the direction of the electric field at point "A" due to the two point charges?
The direction of the electric field at point "A" due to the two point charges depends on the relative positions and magnitudes of the point charges. If the two point charges have the same sign, the electric field at point "A" will be directed away from both point charges. If the two point charges have opposite signs, the electric field at point "A" will be directed towards the point charge with the larger magnitude.
4. How can the electric field at point "A" be represented visually?
The electric field at point "A" can be represented visually through a vector diagram. The length and direction of the vectors represent the magnitude and direction of the electric field at that point. The vectors can also be represented by field lines, where the density of the lines represents the strength of the electric field.
5. What is the significance of knowing the electric field at point "A" due to the two point charges?
Knowing the electric field at point "A" allows us to understand the forces acting on a charged particle placed at that point. This information is crucial in understanding the behavior of electrically charged particles and can be applied in various fields such as engineering, physics, and chemistry.
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