Electric Field Vector for point charge

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the electric fields E1 and E2 at point P due to two point charges, q1 and q2, located at specified coordinates. The user correctly applies the formulas for electric field and unit vectors but questions the accuracy of their results. They express E1 as 0i - 2.81e4j and E2 as 6.47e2i + 8.62e2j, but believe these answers are incorrect despite following textbook examples. The thread highlights confusion over the calculations and the need for clarification on the application of the equations. Understanding the correct approach to vector representation in electric fields is essential for accurate results.
hteezy
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b]1. Homework Statement [/b]

Point charge q1= -5.00 is at the origin and point charge q2= +3.00 is on the -x axis at x= 3.00 cm. Point P is on the y-axis at y= 4.00 cm .

Calculate the electric fields E1 and E2 at point P due to the charges q1 and q2. Express your results in terms of unit vectors (see example 21.6 in the textbook).

Express your answer in terms of the unit vectors \hat{i} , \hat{j}. E

Homework Equations



r = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}

\hat{r} = (\vec{r}/r =x\hat{i} + y\hat{j}) / r
\vec{E} = k * q/r^2 8 \hat{r}

The Attempt at a Solution



So E1 will be the vector from q1 to point P
r = \sqrt{0^2 + .04^2} = .04 m

\hat{r} = (0\hat{i} + .04\hat{j})/.04 = 0\hat{i} + 1\hat{j}

E1 = (8.98 e 9) * (-5.00 e -9) / .04^2 (0\hat{i} + 1\hat{j})
= 0\hat{i} - 2.81 e 4\hat{j}

i did the exact same steps to find E2 and
E2 = 6.47 e 2\hat{i} + 8.62 e 2\hat{j}

am i doing something wrong accordin to the steps i used because my answers are wrong. and i even followed the way the steps were in the book.
i don't get it :confused:
 
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hteezy said:
. . .
am i doing something wrong accordin to the steps i used because my answers are wrong. and i even followed the way the steps were in the book.
i don't get it :confused:
First of all, the LaTeX coding is all scrambled with plain text.

Here's a somewhat repaired version of what was posted:

Homework Statement
Point charge q1= -5.00 is at the origin and point charge q2= +3.00 is on the x-axis at x= 3.00 cm. Point P is on the y-axis at y= 4.00 cm .

Calculate the electric fields E1 and E2 at point P due to the charges q1 and q2. Express your results in terms of unit vectors (see example 21.6 in the textbook).

Express your answer in terms of the unit vectors ##\hat{\imath} , ~\hat{\jmath}##.

E

Homework Equations

##\displaystyle r =\sqrt{x^2 + y^2 ~}##

## \displaystyle \hat{r} = \frac{\vec{r} } {r} =\frac{(x\,\hat{\imath}+ y\,\hat{\jmath})} {r} ##

## \displaystyle\vec{E} = k \frac {q}{r^2} ~ \hat{r} ##

Attempt at a Solution

So E1 will be the vector from q1 to point P
##r = \sqrt{0^2 + .04^2 ~} = .04## m

##\displaystyle \hat{r} = \frac{(0\,\hat{\imath}+ .04\hat{\jmath})}{.04} = 0\hat{\imath} + 1\hat{\jmath}##

##\displaystyle \vec{E}_1= (8.98 \text{ e 9}) \frac{ -5.00 \text{ e -9}} {.04^2} (0~\hat{\imath} + 1~\hat{\jmath})##
= 0~\hat{\imath} - 2.81 \text{ e 4}~\hat{\jmath}
i did the exact same steps to find E2 and

E2 = ## 6.47 e 2 ~\hat{\imath} + 8.62 e 2~\hat{\jmath} ##

am i doing something wrong according to the steps i used because my answers are wrong. and I even followed the way the steps were in the book.
I don't get it. :confused:
 
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