Electric Field Corner homework problem

You should have E=Kq/r^2. In summary, the problem involves finding the electric field at the fourth corner of a rectangle with positive charges at three corners. The charges are 3.00 nC, 5.00 nC, and 6.00 nC, and the dimensions of the rectangle are 0.6 m by 0.2 m. Using the equations for electric field and force, the individual forces are calculated to be 675 n/C, 113 n/C, and 150 n/C. The final result can be expressed as a magnitude and direction or left in components.
  • #1
kitty9035
17
0

Homework Statement


Positive charges are situated at three corners of a rectangle, as shown in the attachment. Find the electric field at the fourth corner.


the numbers are: bottom left- 3.00 nC bottom right-5.00 nC top right- 6.00 nC
the length of the rectangle is .6 m and the width is .2 m

Homework Equations



F=K q1/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution



I found all of the forces

F1= 9*10^9 (3*10^-9/.2^2) = 675 n/C

F2= 9*10^9(5*10^-9/.63^2) = 113 n/C

F3= 9*10^9(6*10^-9/.6^2) = 150 n/C

Then I know you have to combine vectors and get the answer, but that's what I'm having trouble doing.
Please help!
Thanks in advance:bugeye:
 

Attachments

  • physics problem.bmp
    95.7 KB · Views: 682
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Just a quick note, usually E is reserved for the field and F is for the force.
It is unclear to me as to whether the charges are positive or negative and this will determine the direction of the field. (your calculation seems to imply that they are all positive)
So once you have the magnitude of the individual components of the field, I would draw them on a vector diagram. Choose a coordinate system and break up each vector into components along each of the coordinate axes. Add like components to get the resultant field in components. Then you may express the final result in a variety of ways- leave it in components, express it as a magnitude and direction, etc.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
The force between 2 charges is given by

F = K q1 q2/r^2 and the field from a charge is E = K q / r^2

See here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_field

[edited - thanks Robb ]
 
Last edited:
  • #4
Mentz114 said:
The force between 2 charges is given by

F = K q1 q2/r^2 and the field from a charge is E = K q / r

See here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_field
Careful, you dropped a factor of r in the denominator for the field.
 

1. What is an electric field?

An electric field is a physical quantity that describes the strength and direction of the force that a charged particle would experience if placed in that field. It is created by the presence of electrically charged objects.

2. What is the direction of an electric field?

The direction of an electric field is determined by the direction of the force that a positive test charge would experience if placed in that field. It is always directed away from positive charges and towards negative charges.

3. How do you calculate the strength of an electric field?

The strength of an electric field can be calculated by dividing the force experienced by a test charge by the magnitude of the charge. The formula is E = F/q, where E is the electric field strength, F is the force, and q is the charge.

4. What is the unit of electric field?

The unit of electric field is Newtons per Coulomb (N/C) in the SI system. In other systems, it can also be expressed as Volts per meter (V/m).

5. How is an electric field represented?

An electric field is often represented by electric field lines, which are imaginary lines that indicate the direction and strength of the electric field. The density of the lines represents the strength of the field, with closer lines indicating a stronger field.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
806
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
853
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
776
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
23
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
Back
Top