Calculate ##\vec{E}## of a single charge at a certain distance from it

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the electric field vector ##\vec{E}## produced by a single charge located at the origin of a coordinate system. The charge in question is ##23\;\mu{C}##, and the electric field is to be evaluated at a specific point in the ##x-y## plane.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different formulations for calculating the electric field, including the use of the equation ##\vec{E}=K\dfrac{q}{r^2}## and a more complex expression involving distances ##r_1## and ##r_2##. There are questions regarding the correctness of the calculations and the magnitude of the resulting electric field.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided feedback on the original poster's LaTeX formatting and calculations. There is a recognition of potential errors in the calculations, particularly concerning the value of ##\epsilon_0##. The discussion includes varying interpretations of the problem and approaches to the calculations, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of verifying intermediate calculations when using complex expressions, suggesting that simpler methods may be more efficient. There is also an acknowledgment of the potential for misunderstanding in the calculations presented.

mcastillo356
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Homework Statement
A single charge of ##23\;\mu{C}## is at the origin of a ##x-y## coordinate system. Calculate the electric field vector at the point ##r=(1,25\;m,0,75\;m)##
Relevant Equations
##\vec{E}=K\dfrac{q}{r^2}##
Really don't know if this is wright. Here it goes. Thanks in advance:
##\vec{E}=K\cdot{q}\cdot{\sqrt{\dfrac{1}{r_1^4}+\dfrac{1}{r_2^4}}}\cdot{\left(\dfrac{r_1}{\sqrt{r_1^2+r_2^2}}\hat{i}+\dfrac{r_2}{\sqrt{r_1^2+r_2^2}}\hat{j}\right)}##
##8,98\cdot{10^{9}}\;Nm^2/C^2\cdot{23,6\cdot{10^{-6}}\;C}\cdot{\left(\sqrt{\frac{1}{2,44\;m^4}+\frac{1}{3,16\;m^4}}\right)}\left(\dfrac{1,25\;m}{1,46\;m}\hat{i}+\dfrac{0,75\;m}{1,46\;m}\hat{j}\right)##
##8,98\cdot{10^{9}}\;Nm^2/C^2\cdot{23,6\cdot{10^{-6}}\;C}\cdot{0,852\;m^{-2}}\left(0,856\hat{i}+0,514\hat{j}\right)##
##\therefore \vec{E}=1,55\cdot{10^5}\;N/C\hat{i}+0,928\cdot{10^5}\;N/C\hat{j}##
My doubt: how is it such a large number?
Greetings!
 
Last edited:
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I am unable to sort out your latex. You seem to be missing some curly braces and a \right).
 
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mcastillo356 said:
Homework Statement:: A single charge of ##23\;\mu{C}## is at the origin of a ##x-y## coordinate system. Calculate the electric field vector at the point ##r=(1,25\;m,0,75\;m)##
Relevant Equations:: ##\vec{E}=K\dfrac{q}{r^2}##

Really don't know if this is wright. Here it goes. Thanks in advance:
##\vec{E}=K\cdot{q}\cdot{\sqrt{\dfrac{1}{r_1^4}+\dfrac{1}{r_2^4}}}\cdot{\left(\dfrac{r_1}{\sqrt{r_1^2+r_2^2}}\hat{i}+\dfrac{r_2}{\sqrt{r_1^2+r_2^2}}\hat{j}\right)}##
##8,98\cdot{10^{9}}\;Nm^2/C^2\cdot{23,6\cdot{10^{-6}}\;C}\cdot{\left(\sqrt{\frac{1}{2,44\;m^4}+\frac{1}{3,16\;m^4}}\right)}\left(\dfrac{1,25\;m}{1,46\;m}\hat{i}+\dfrac{0,75\;m}{1,46\;m}\hat{j}\right)##
##8,98\cdot{10^{9}}\;Nm^2/C^2\cdot{23,6\cdot{10^{-6}}\;C}\cdot{0,852\;m^{-2}}\left(0,856\hat{i}+0,514\hat{j}\right)##
##\therefore \vec{E}=1,55\cdot{10^5}\;N/C\hat{i}+0,928\cdot{10^5}\;N/C\hat{j}##
My doubt: how is it such a large number?
Greetings!
I am quoting whith my phone. The pc did work
 
mcastillo356 said:
I am quoting whith my phone. The pc did work
The numbers must be that order of magnitude as ##\epsilon_0## is very small. That said, don't you just put these numbers into a calculator and see what comes out? What do you gain by writing it all out like that?

I would calculate ##r##, then use
$$\vec E = \frac{q}{4\pi \epsilon_0 r^3}\vec r$$
PS I get a different answer from you. You may have gone wrong inverting the value for ##\epsilon_0## by the look of your working.
 
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I thought I had to warn that I had solved my problems with LaTeX. I will not do it again. It's obvious I've not thought twice.
 
mcastillo356 said:
I thought I had to warn that I had solved my problems with LaTeX. I will not do it again. It's obvious I've not thought twice.

What I meant was that once you have a formula and all the numbers, that's just one calculation on a calculator or spreadsheet. It's difficult to check all those intermediate numbers because I just put the numbers in a spreadsheet. Three calculations: one for ##r##, one for ##E_x## and one for ##E_y##:
$$\vec E = \frac{q}{4\pi \epsilon_0 r^3}(x, y) = \frac{q}{4\pi \epsilon_0 r^3}(x \vec i + y \vec j)$$
 
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Ahh...Yes, I've misunderstood. I must have missed some calculation
 

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