Calculating the electric field, multiple point charges

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field at a specific point due to multiple point charges. Participants are troubleshooting their calculations, particularly the components of the electric field from each charge. There are discrepancies in the computed values for the electric field components, especially for E3, leading to confusion about the overall electric field strength and direction. Corrections are suggested regarding the sign conventions for the electric field due to negative charges, which should attract rather than repel. The final consensus indicates that recalculating the distance for one charge is crucial for achieving the correct answer.
aliaze1
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Homework Statement



What are the strength and direction of the electric field at the position indicated by the dot?

knight_Figure_26_32.jpg


Part A:
Give your answer in terms of the horizontal and vertical components, separated by commas. Take the positive directions to be up and to the right.

Part B:
Specify the strength of the electric field.

Homework Equations



[1/(4πε0)]*(|q|/r2)

The Attempt at a Solution



[1/(4πε0)]=9*109

q1=-5*10-9
q2=10*10-9
q3=10*10-9

r1=0.02m
r2=0.04m
r3=√(0.002)=(0.002)0.5=~0.0447m

E1={[9*109]*[5*10-9]}/(0.02m)2
E2={[9*109]*[10*10-9]}/(0.04m)2
E3={[9*109]*[10*10-9]}/(0.002m)

E1=112500 j
E2=56250 i
E3=45000

E3_i=45000*(0.04/0.0447)=40249 i
E3_j=45000*(0.02/0.0447)=20134 j

Right is positive, therefore:
E2= -56250 i
E3_i= -40249 i

ETotal_i= -56250 + -40249 = -96499 i
ETotal_j= 20134 + 112500 = 133534 j

This is coming out as 'incorrect', and therefore I cannot proceed to part 2

Where am I going wrong?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
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You need to redo E3.
 
neutrino said:
You need to redo E3.

typo, sorry, E3 is actually 45000, unless you mean that that is also incorrect
 
Last edited:
Oh, okay. 45000 is correct.

I just calculated the x-comp. of E3 and it comes out to 40,268.45638, while your answer is off by almost 20 N/C. I think it's a calculation error somewhere.
 
neutrino said:
Oh, okay. 45000 is correct.

I just calculated the x-comp. of E3 and it comes out to 40,268.45638, while your answer is off by almost 20 N/C. I think it's a calculation error somewhere.

yea idk for some reason my calculator is giving me the 40249.22359..., anyways, is my y-component correct? i have very few attempts left

thanks
 
...still isn't working :(
 
aliaze1 said:

Homework Statement



What are the strength and direction of the electric field at the position indicated by the dot?

knight_Figure_26_32.jpg


Part A:
Give your answer in terms of the horizontal and vertical components, separated by commas. Take the positive directions to be up and to the right.

Part B:
Specify the strength of the electric field.

Homework Equations



[1/(4πε0)]*(|q|/r2)

The Attempt at a Solution



[1/(4πε0)]=9*109

q1=-5*10-9
q2=10*10-9
q3=10*10-9

r1=0.02m
r2=0.04m
r3=√(0.002)=(0.002)0.5=~0.0447m // r3 = 0.4472

E1={[9*109]*[5*10-9]}/(0.02m)2
E2={[9*109]*[10*10-9]}/(0.04m)2
E3={[9*109]*[10*10-9]}/(0.002m)

E1=112500 j
E2=56250 i
E3=45000

E3_i=45000*(0.04/0.0447)=40249 i
E3_j=45000*(0.02/0.0447)=20134 j

Right is positive, therefore:
E2= -56250 i
E3_i= -40249 i

ETotal_i= -56250 + -40249 = -96499 i
ETotal_j= 20134 + 112500 = 133534 j

This is coming out as 'incorrect', and therefore I cannot proceed to part 2

Where am I going wrong?

Thanks!

The answer is E(0,0.2) = (-964.15,-922.9) where E(0,0.2) = 1334.7
 
Last edited:
  • #10
please correct the value of r3, then everything should fall into place.
 
  • #11
I got (-96392,-92272)

your J value is incorrect. your e1 is incorrect. using the correct sign convention, since e1 is a negative charge, it pulls the dot towards it. not away, therefore e1 should be negative since up and right is postive
 
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