Exploring the Electrical Field: A Study of Five Charges

In summary, the field due to the top charge and four negative charges would have a downwards direction.
  • #1
xma123
9
0
http://imgur.com/a3vxU


Really haven't a clue how to go about this, it's the last question on the paper and nothing before it is anything near as complex as this.

Any help much appreciated
 
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  • #2
What's the field at the center from a single charge? Then find the vector sum of all the field contributions. Take advantage of symmetry.
 
  • #3
Imagine the top charge is also absent. What would the field be due to the four charges?
 
  • #4
So due to each charge the field is E=kq/r2

The 4 in the middle cancel, giving a field of either positive or negative of the single field charge above. So would the answer be option 3?
 
  • #5
What is the direction of j? Of the field?
 
  • #6
voko said:
What is the direction of j? Of the field?

The picture is all the info given on this
 
  • #7
xma123 said:
So due to each charge the field is E=kq/r2
Good. That's the magnitude of the field, so be sure to count the direction.
The 4 in the middle cancel, giving a field of either positive or negative of the single field charge above.
Yes, the 4 in the middle cancel. But I don't know what you mean by "either positive or negative". Which is it? What's the direction of the field from the top charge?
 
  • #8
You have enough information to deduce the direction of the field by the top charge. As for the direction of j, I am sure you have heard of the standard basis vectors i, j and k. What are they?
 
  • #9
Apologies, it's late. The j vector acts in the y direction, so the top charge would act in the upwards of y, +j vector and therefore option 3.

By positive or negative I was referring to the difference betweent options 3 and 4.
 
  • #10
xma123 said:
the top charge would act in the upwards of y

Why is that?
 
  • #11
voko said:
Why is that?

Oh damn, they're positive charges, so the field acts downwards away from the top charge.

This would give a "negative" field in the y direction and so option 4 is correct?
 
  • #12
xma123 said:
they're positive charges, so the field acts downwards away from the top charge

Correct!
 
  • #13
voko said:
Correct!

Thanks very much for your patience, much appreciated
 

1. What is a "field of five charges"?

A "field of five charges" refers to a situation in which there are five electric charges located in a specific arrangement, creating an electric field in the surrounding space.

2. How is the electric field calculated in a field of five charges?

The electric field in a field of five charges can be calculated by adding the individual electric fields created by each charge using vector addition.

3. How does the magnitude and direction of the electric field change in a field of five charges?

The magnitude and direction of the electric field at any point in a field of five charges is determined by the combined effects of all five charges. This can result in a complex and varying electric field, depending on the specific arrangement of the charges.

4. How does the distance between the charges affect the electric field in a field of five charges?

The distance between the charges can have a significant impact on the strength of the electric field. As the distance between charges increases, the electric field weakens, and vice versa.

5. What are the practical applications of studying a field of five charges?

Understanding a field of five charges can provide insight into the behavior of electric fields in more complex situations, which can be useful in fields such as electronics, electromagnetism, and telecommunications. It also allows for the prediction and control of electric fields in various systems and devices.

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