Electric Field and Electric Potential Question

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric field and electric potential at a corner of a square with given point charges at three corners. The subject area is electrostatics, focusing on electric fields and potentials generated by point charges.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the electric field and potential using formulas for point charges and discusses the vector nature of electric fields. Some participants question the completeness of the vector representation of the electric field.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the calculations presented, with one participant affirming the correctness of the approach while noting the need for vector representation in the electric field calculation. There is acknowledgment of the original poster's work, but no consensus on the final answers.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses uncertainty about their calculations and lacks access to answer keys for verification. There is a mention of a diagram that could not be uploaded, which may affect the clarity of the problem setup.

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Homework Statement


You have a Square with 10cm lengths on each side. Charges of +4 microC (top right corner), -6 microC (top left corner), and +4 microC (bottom left corner) are located at three corners of the square.

A) Calculate the electric field in the empty corner of the square.
B) Calculate the electric potential at the empty corner of the square?
C) How much work is done if we move a +1 microC charge from the center of the square to the empty corner of the square?

Sorry for not being able to upload the pic, I am kinda not savvy with that kind of stuff.



Homework Equations



Part A:
Electric Field = k(Q/length2)
have to take vector addition into account

Part B:
Electric Potential = k(Q/Length)

Part C:
Electric Potential = k(Q/Length)
Work = Q(Vb-Va)




The Attempt at a Solution



A)
E due to the two 4 microC charges are the same so:
k(Q/length2)
(9.0 x 109) ((4x10-6)/0.01)
E = 3.6 x 106 N/C

if I add these two electric field vectorially i get 5.1x106 (\sqrt{}((3.6x10<sup>6</sup>)<sup>2</sup>)+(3.6x10<sup>6</sup>)<sup>2</sup>))

Then I find the Electric Field due to the point charge in the top right corner (-6 microC)
k(Q/length2)
(9.0 x 109) ((6x10-6)/0.0196)
E = 2.76 x 106 N/C

Then since this vector opposes the net of the other two vector I can subtract them to get the overall net Electric Field.

(5.1 x 106 N/C) - (2.76 x 106 N/C) = 2.34x106 N/C

B)
Electric Potential = k(Q/Length)
K((+4microC/0.1) + (+4microC/0.1) + (-6microC/0.14))
Electric potential = 3.34x105 Volts

C)
Work = Q(Vb-Va) I already have Vb from part B so I need to find Va

Va = k((+4microC/0.07) + (+4microC/0.07) + (-6microC/0.07))
Va = 2.25x105 Volts

Work = Q(Vb-Va)
Work = +1microC ((3.34x105 Volts) -(2.25x105 Volts)) = 0.077Joules

I'm I doing this correctly, I don't have the answers to check my work...

Thank you very much with your help and time on this.

 
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Anyone??
 
I think it looks right. The only problem I see is that when you are asked to calculate the electric field, you need to give a vector answer (magnitude and direction), not just magnitude. The rest looks correct.
 
oh, I totally skipped that: it would be Magnitude 5.1x10^6 N/C to the south east (45 degrees below the positive x-axis?

Thank you for your help!
 

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