Electric Field due to two points

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the net electric field at the origin due to two point charges, q_1 = -4.00 nC and q_2 = +6.00 nC, the electric fields produced by each charge must be summed vectorially, considering both magnitude and direction. The initial calculations for the electric field magnitudes were incorrect, as the user mistakenly altered the charge signs and did not account for the vector nature of electric fields. The electric field from q_2 points along the -x-axis, while q_1's field must be resolved into its x and y components to find the net electric field. Properly calculating the resultant involves determining the components from both charges and then combining them to find the overall electric field at the origin. Accurate vector addition is crucial for solving this problem correctly.
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Homework Statement


A point charge q_1 = -4.00 {\rm nC} is at the point x = 0.60 {\rm m}, y = 0.80 {\rm m} , and a second point charge q_2 = +6.00 {\rm nC} is at the point x = 0.60 {\rm m} , y = 0
Calculate the magnitude of the net electric field at the origin due to these two point charges.
Calculate the direction of the net electric field at the origin due to these two point charges.


Homework Equations


E=F/Q
F=k*q*q/r^2
E=(KQ1/r^2) + (KQ2/r^2)


The Attempt at a Solution


I searched the threads and I came up with one very similar to this problem, however i tried their solution and still comes out wrong. I am summing of the E fields produced by both charges, it looks like this

E=(8.99x10^9)(-4x10^-6)/1 + ((8.99x10^9)(6x10^-6)/.6^2
I get an answer around 113842 N/C, i tried different specific digits of K to get a more specific answer however they were all wrong, so i changed the sign of -4 to 4, just because, and i got 185793 N/C which is STILL wrong. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong?
and to solve for the angle, do i just use their vector components?
 
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Electric field is a vector quantity. You cannot add them directly. Find the direction of electric fields. One field due to 6.0 nC is along the -x-axis. Find the direction of the other field. Resolve it into x and y components and then find the net x and y components and find the resultant.
 
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