Electric field given electric potential

[743344]

[SOLVED] electric field given electric potential

Homework Statement

The electric potential in a region of space is V = ( 210 x^{2} - 170 y^{2} ) V, where x and y are in meters.

What is the strength of the electric field at ( 1.00 m, 3.00 m ) ?

Homework Equations

E = -dV/ds

The Attempt at a Solution

1. i know i have to find the derivative of the that given equation but i can't figure out where to start...because there are two different variable given...and i don't know in term of which variable i have to find the derivative

 

[Kurdt]

The E-field is a vector quantity and is given by the negative gradient of the potential.

$$\mathbf{E} = -\nabla V$$

the $\nabla$ operator is:

$$\nabla = \frac{\partial}{\partial x} \mathbf{\hat{i}} + \frac{\partial}{\partial y} \mathbf{\hat{j}} +\frac{\partial}{\partial z} \mathbf{\hat{k}}$$

 

[743344]

thank you