Calculating the electric field, multiple point charges

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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:
please correct the value of r3, then everything should fall into place.
 
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 positive