Electric field and electron acceleration

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration of an electron in an electric field of 6900 N/C directed north, using the formula a = -eE/m, which results in a southward acceleration. The electric force acting on the electron is derived from the product of its charge and the electric field. Additionally, the conversation shifts to finding the point on the x-axis where the electric field is zero between two positive point charges, q1 and q2. Participants emphasize the need to consider the distances from each charge to determine where their electric fields cancel each other out. The key takeaway is to set the electric fields from both charges equal to each other to find the point of zero electric field.
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What are the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of an electron at a point where the electric field has magnitude 6900 N/C and is directed due north?
 
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label the north direction as \hat{y} so \vec{E}=E \hat{y}. The "electric force" equals the charge times the electric field. that is,

m \vec{a} = -eE \hat{y}

\vec{a} = \frac{-eE}{m} \hat{y}

where e is the charge of the electron and m is its mass.
 
that would then make the direction south? i found my answer by using F=qE and the F=ma. and i have another question...
Two point charges, q1 = +20.0 nC and q2 = +11.0 nC, are located on the x-axis at x = 0 and x = 1.00 m, respectively. Where on the x-axis is the electric field equal to zero? i wanted to use the equation E=k[q]/r^2 but I'm confused as to what to do with the x=0 and x=1
 
You can use the x values to determine the distance (r) between the two charges.
 
i am not sure how to encorporate the the one formula with the various values
 
Note that electric fields are vectors. For the field to cancel at a point, the field due to A should cancel out the field due to B. Where do you think that could happen (between A and B / left of A / right of B)? Once you figure that out, take a point 'x', and find out x for Eax = Ebx.
 
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