Electric field and potential of 2 point charges

AI Thread Summary
To determine where the electric field is zero between a -2 μC charge and a 10 μC charge separated by 15 cm, one must analyze the direction of the electric fields produced by each charge. The electric field from the positive charge points away from it, while the field from the negative charge points towards it, indicating that the point where the fields cancel must be outside the two charges. For the electric potential to be zero, the contributions from both charges must balance, which can occur at a different location than where the electric field is zero. Visualizing the scenario with a diagram helps clarify the positions where these conditions are met. Understanding the behavior of electric fields and potentials is crucial for solving such problems effectively.
soccerscholar
Messages
7
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A -2 μC charge and a 10μC charge are separated by 15.0cm. At what point is the electric field zero? At what point is the electric potential zero?


Homework Equations


E=(kq1/r1^2)+(kq2/r2^2)
V=kq1/r1 + kq2/r2

The Attempt at a Solution


My main problem is with finding the direction in which the negative and positive charges act on the point where the electric field is 0 and where the electric potential is 0. Can someone explain how to figure out the direction that these charges act? For the electric field, how do you know whether the point is between the two charges, or on either side of one of the charges? I think I can figure out the math from there.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Obviously, The Electric Fields due to the two charges should point in opposite direction for the net E to be zero at that point. You should draw a diagram and see where is/are the possible places.
 
Okay, makes more sense now. Thanks!
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Struggling With Part C of Electric Field Calculation
Replies
2
Views
1K
Electric field at the center of the equilateral triangle
Replies
10
Views
3K
Direction of electric field vector on the surface of charged conductor
Replies
9
Views
1K
Work done to insert a point charge 𝑞 at the center of a conducting sphere
Replies
12
Views
1K
Electric Potential Energy of Point Charge Systems
Replies
2
Views
879
Capacitors, equipotentials, and electric fields
Replies
5
Views
889
Electric Field Inside a Gaussian Surface with Point Charge q
Replies
4
Views
2K
The electric potential inside a conducting sphere with charge Q
Replies
11
Views
1K
Earthing of two parallel conducting plates
Replies
11
Views
1K
Electric potential due to collection of charged particles
Replies
3
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top