# Homework Help: Electric fields and electrostatic forces

1. Sep 3, 2004

### InfinitiMike069

Electric fields and electrostatic forces (1 question)

I was wondering if someone can show me how to answer this problem. Thank you.

1)Two charges are placed on the x-axis, an unknown positive charge at x=0 cm and a negative 8.642e-6 C charge at 2.993 cm from the origin. Calculate the magnitude of the charge at x=0 cm which causes the total electric field at 11.917 cm to be zero.

Last edited: Sep 3, 2004
2. Sep 3, 2004

### Tide

Show us what you did then I'm sure you'll get plenty of help!

3. Sep 4, 2004

### ArmoSkater87

Electric field,$$E = \frac{kq}{r^2}$$
Since you have two particles with charges, lets call the unknown charge q1, and the known charge q2, where

Since E = 0, $$\frac{kq_1}{r^2} + \frac{kq_2}{r^2} = 0$$, where r is the distance from the charge to the point of zero electric field. Therefore...
For the first charge its .11917m away, and for the second charge its .11917m - .02993m = .08924m.

$$\frac{kq_1}{.11917^2} + \frac{k*-8.642e-6}{.08924^2} = 0$$

The k's cancel, and therefore q1 = 1.54e-5 C.

I'm not 100% sure if I did this right, so wait for more responses before taking my word for it.

Last edited: Sep 4, 2004
4. Sep 4, 2004

### e(ho0n3

Conceptually it is correct although I haven't done the calculation so...