Cancellation of the electric field from opposite charges

In summary, if the charges are close enough together, the electric field of opposite charges will cancel each other out.
  • #1
Shohel chowdhury
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Electric field of opposite charges, cancel out each other, is it right?
 
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  • #2
Yes, if the charges are close enough together.
 
  • #3
Shohel chowdhury said:
Electric field of opposite charges, cancel out each other, is it right?
Don't know which level is really this question.
If you mean the electric field outside(*) the charges is approximately zero at large enough distance from them, it's ok.
(*) The electric field between the charges is not zero, not even approximately.

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lightarrow
 
  • #4
Shohel chowdhury said:
Electric field of opposite charges, cancel out each other, is it right?
If you mean like with a non-ionized atom, then yes, the external E-field a ways away from the atom is zero, since the net charge of the electrons and protons cancels out.

But if you mean when the two charges are separated by some distance on the order of your measuring distance, then the E-fields are summed vectorially (magnitude and direction). The E-field exactly in the middle between two like charges is zero, but you can see that the E-field in general from two charged particles is pretty complicated around them...

https://i.stack.imgur.com/pNHut.jpg

pNHut.jpg
 

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  • #5
berkeman said:
If you mean like with a non-ionized atom, then yes, the external E-field a ways away from the atom is zero, since the net charge of the electrons and protons cancels out.

But if you mean when the two charges are separated by some distance on the order of your measuring distance, then the E-fields are summed vectorially (magnitude and direction). The E-field exactly in the middle between two like charges is zero, but you can see that the E-field in general from two charged particles is pretty complicated around them...

https://i.stack.imgur.com/pNHut.jpg

View attachment 240659
Very nice picture. But the OP referred to opposite charges.

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lightarrow
 
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Likes berkeman
  • #6
lightarrow said:
Very nice picture. But the OP referred to opposite charges.

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lightarrow
Oops, thanks! :smile:
 

What is the concept of cancellation of the electric field from opposite charges?

The cancellation of the electric field from opposite charges refers to the phenomenon where the electric fields produced by two opposite charges at a certain distance from each other cancel out, resulting in a net electric field of zero.

How does the cancellation of the electric field occur?

The cancellation of the electric field occurs due to the principle of superposition, which states that the total electric field at a point is the vector sum of the individual electric fields produced by each charge. In the case of opposite charges, the electric fields point in opposite directions and cancel each other out.

What are the implications of the cancellation of the electric field?

The cancellation of the electric field has significant implications in various fields, such as electrical engineering and physics. It allows for the creation of electrically neutral objects, such as conductors, which are essential in the functioning of electronic devices. It also plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior of electric fields in nature.

Does the cancellation of the electric field only occur between two opposite charges?

No, the cancellation of the electric field can also occur between multiple charges. In a system with multiple charges, the electric fields produced by each charge can interact and cancel each other out, resulting in a net electric field of zero at certain points.

Can the cancellation of the electric field be manipulated or controlled?

Yes, the cancellation of the electric field can be manipulated or controlled by changing the position or magnitude of the charges. By adjusting the distance or strength of the charges, the electric fields can be made to cancel out or reinforce each other, allowing for the manipulation of electric fields for various applications.

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