Electric Field and Magnitude Problem

AI Thread Summary
Two identical point charges, each +2.5 x 10^-6 C, are positioned near point P, which is 0.05 m from one charge and 0.12 m from the other, forming a right angle. To calculate the electric field at point P, the relevant formula E = k x Q / r^2 is applied for both charges. The electric field due to charge q1 is calculated as approximately 9 x 10^6 N/C, while the field from q2 is about 1.563 x 10^6 N/C. The next step involves decomposing these electric fields into horizontal and vertical components to find the resultant vector. The discussion emphasizes the importance of vector addition in determining the total electric field at point P.
pstir2
Messages
19
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Two identical point charges, q1 = +2.5 x 10-6 C and q2 = +2.5 x 10-6 C, are placed as shown in the diagram below. Point P is a distance 0.05 m from q1 and 0.12 m from q2, such that the angle at P is 90 degrees. Calculate the magnitude of the Electric field E at point P.

Homework Equations


Not sure which of these rules would apply. Also I suck at vectors
F = k x q1 x q2 / r^2

E = k x Q / r^2

The Attempt at a Solution



Electric Field Magnitude.jpg

So I have created the diagram and I believe I have to use the second formula twice, along with some trigonometry, but I'm not sure.

E1 = k x Q1 / r^2
E1 = k x +2.5 x 10^-6 / 0.05^2
E1 = 9 x 10^6

E2 = k x Q2 / r^2
E2 = k x +2.5 x 10^-6 / 0.12^2
E2 = 1.563 x 10^6

I Can't do vectors at all. Please help.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Step 1:
Decompose the E field you got at point P due to q1 to horizontal and vertical components.
Do the same for E field you got at point P due to q2.
 
pstir2 said:
So I have created the diagram and I believe I have to use the second formula twice, along with some trigonometry, but I'm not sure.
That's exactly correct.

Keep going! Find the field from each charge, then find the resultant field by adding the vectors.
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top