Electric field on a point charge

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the electric field at a point near three point charges: 7.35 µC, 4.32 µC, and -3.42 µC, with the constant k valued at 8.98755 x 10^9 N m²/C². The user attempted to compute the electric field at a point 1.01 cm to the left of the middle charge using the formula E = k * q / r² for each charge. The user reported an approximate result of -3.2517 x 10^8 N/C, which was incorrect according to the system. The confusion arose regarding the distances used for calculating the electric fields from each charge.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Coulomb's Law and electric fields
  • Familiarity with point charge configurations
  • Knowledge of unit conversions (cm to m)
  • Basic algebra for summing vector quantities
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the principles of superposition in electric fields
  • Learn about vector addition of electric fields from multiple charges
  • Study the concept of electric field direction and magnitude
  • Practice problems involving electric fields from multiple point charges
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in electrostatics and electric field calculations involving point charges.

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Hello guys,
I have a question which I think I solved it right but I don't understand why the final answer is wrong.
Here's the problem: Consider three charges as shown. k is 8.98755 * 10^9 N m^2/c^2. What is the electric field at a point 1.01 cm to the left of the middle charge? Ans. in N/C.
For the figure: O---------O-------O; seems like this. The charges are: (beginning from the left) 7.35, 4.32, -3.42 microCulombs. Distances The left to Middle is 4.92 cm and Middle to Right is 4 cm.
So, the most left is positive, the middle is positive and the one in the right is negative. The point P is 1.01 cm to the left of the middle particle.

What I did:

E1 = [k*(7.35*10^-6)]/(0.0492-0.0101)^2
E2 = the same thing, with its parameters (but this is toward -x-axis)
E3= the same, toward + x-axis

Then I add this up and I get approx. -3.2517*10^8 N/C
Actually this is not the answer (at least the System says so)
Please take a look at this thing, maybe there's sth tiny I don't get.
Thanks
 
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what is the distance you use for E2 and E3?
 
For E2 i.e the middle one, I used just 1.01 cm (actually 0.0101 m) and for E3 4cm + 1.01 cm, which is 0.0501 m.
 

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