Electric field on each midpoint of square of side L

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric field at the midpoints of each side of a square with point charges of +Q and -Q located at the diagonal corners. Participants are exploring the implications of charge placement and the resulting electric field vectors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of electric field components from the corner charges to the midpoints, questioning the directions and magnitudes of these components. There is a focus on how to treat the midpoint in terms of charge presence and the application of Coulomb's Law.

Discussion Status

Some participants express confusion regarding the direction of electric field vectors and the treatment of the midpoint as a point of evaluation. There is ongoing dialogue about the correctness of calculations and the interpretation of the electric field contributions from each charge.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies between their calculations and the book's provided solution, leading to discussions about potential errors in sign or magnitude. The complexity of vector addition in the context of electric fields is a recurring theme.

  • #31
OK - this is the same as I've calculated then.

For E3x + E4x, I'm getting (8√5)/25 for the coefficient.
This multiplied by k gives me 6.43e9 - quite a lot different from your value.

Edit : the difference between the 2 values is √5
 
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  • #32
ap123 said:
OK - this is the same as I've calculated then.
? You said you agreed with to the magnitudes of post 17 ...
For E3x + E4x, I'm getting (8√5)/25 for the coefficient.
This multiplied by k gives me 6.43e9 - quite a lot different from your value.

E3x = E4x = +(8/5)kQ/L^2
The entire Ex field at the bottom mid-point is -6.4kQ/L^2 = -5.76e10Q/L^2.
Edit : the difference between the 2 values is √5
Don't understand that ...
 
  • #33
? You said you agreed with to the magnitudes of post 17 ...
I do.
You wrote that E1x = E2x = -8kQ/L^2 rather than E1x + E2x = -8kQ/L^2 which is what I was unsure about.
This is also the magnitude that is in post #17

E3x = E4x = +(8/5)kQ/L^2
You mean
E3x + E4x = +(8/5)kQ/L^2
I have an additional √5 in the denominator

Don't understand that ...
See above
 
  • #34
OK. Right on both counts. I meant "+" when I said "=".

Where did you get the extra sqrt(5)? The distance squared from the bottom midpoint to either upper corner is r^2 = L^2 + (L/2)^2 = 5L^2/4 by Pythagoras.
 
  • #35
Where did you get the extra sqrt(5)? The distance squared from the bottom midpoint to either upper corner is r^2 = L^2 + (L/2)^2 = 5L^2/4 by Pythagoras.

From the cosθ when I took the x-component of the field.
cosθ = 1 / √5
 
  • #36
ap123 said:
From the cosθ when I took the x-component of the field.
cosθ = 1 / √5

If you're going to do it that way, isn't it cos2θ?

Never mind, I just woke up. Yes, the cosθ needs to be incorporated in my Ex3 and Ex4, making it Ex3 + Ex4 = 0.447(8/5)Q/L^2. Pardon my obtuseness.
 
Last edited:
  • #37
If you're going to do it that way, isn't it cos2θ?
How do you get that?
I'm just taking the x-component of the vector, eg
E3x = E3 * cosθ

Edit :
Pardon my obtuseness
OK :smile:

I hope the OP has absorbed this long thread.
 
  • #38
ap123 said:
How do you get that?
I'm just taking the x-component of the vector, eg
E3x = E3 * cosθ

Edit :

OK :smile:

I hope the OP has absorbed this long thread.

So at least you & I agree, right?
 
  • #39
So at least you & I agree, right?
Yes :)
 

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