Finding Electric Field at point P

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the x-component of the electric field at a specific point due to two charges located in the (x, y) plane. The original poster provides the coordinates of point P and relevant constants, including the Coulomb constant.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the electric field formula using the Coulomb constant and the distances to the charges, questioning if their approach is correct. Some participants express uncertainty about the provided information, particularly regarding the locations of the charges and the angles involved in the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification on the setup and the angles necessary for the calculations. There is no explicit consensus yet, as some participants are questioning the completeness of the information provided.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of a visual representation of the charge locations, which is crucial for understanding the problem setup. There is also a focus on the angles θ12 and θ13, which have not been adequately addressed in the original post.

DrunkApple
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Homework Statement


Two charges are located in the (x, y) plane as
shown. The fields produced by these charges
are observed at a point p with coordinates
(0, 0). Find the x-component of the electric field
at p. The value of the Coulomb constant is
8.98755 × 109 N · m[itex]^{2}[/itex]/C[itex]^{2}[/itex].
Answer in units of N/C


Homework Equations


k[itex]_{c}[/itex] = 8.98755E9
cos θ[itex]_{12}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{1.7}{sqrt(8.65)}[/itex]
cos θ[itex]_{13}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{1.6}{sqrt(8.32)}[/itex]
q[itex]_{2}[/itex] = -8.1 C
q[itex]_{3}[/itex] = 7.9 C
r[itex]_{12}[/itex] = [itex]sqrt(8.65)[/itex]
r[itex]_{13}[/itex] = [itex]sqrt(8.32)[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution


E[itex]_{x}[/itex] = -(k[itex]_{c}[/itex]|q[itex]_{2}[/itex]|cos θ[itex]_{12})/r_{12}^{2}[/itex] - (k[itex]_{c}[/itex]|q[itex]_{3}[/itex]|cos θ[itex]_{13}[/itex])/r[itex]_{13}[/itex][itex]^{2}[/itex]

= -k[itex]_{c}[/itex]([itex]\frac{8.1}{8.65}[/itex] * [itex]\frac{1.7}{sqrt(8.65)}[/itex] + [itex]\frac{7.9}{8.32}[/itex] * [itex]\frac{1.6}{sqrt(8.32)}[/itex])

is this the right way to do it?
 

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Hard to say since you didn't show or describe the locations of the charges ...
 
sorry here is the picture
 
DrunkApple said:

Homework Statement


Two charges are located in the (x, y) plane as shown. The fields produced by these charges are observed at a point p with coordinates (0, 0). Find the x-component of the electric field at p. The value of the Coulomb constant is 8.98755 × 109 N · m[itex]^{2}[/itex]/C[itex]^{2}[/itex].
Answer in units of N/C

Homework Equations


k[itex]_{c}[/itex] = 8.98755E9
cos θ[itex]_{12}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{1.7}{sqrt(8.65)}[/itex]
cos θ[itex]_{13}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{1.6}{sqrt(8.32)}[/itex]
q[itex]_{2}[/itex] = -8.1 C
q[itex]_{3}[/itex] = 7.9 C
r[itex]_{12}[/itex] = [itex]sqrt(8.65)[/itex]
r[itex]_{13}[/itex] = [itex]sqrt(8.32)[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution


E[itex]_{x}[/itex] = -(k[itex]_{c}[/itex]|q[itex]_{2}[/itex]|cos θ[itex]_{12})/r_{12}^{2}[/itex] - (k[itex]_{c}[/itex]|q[itex]_{3}[/itex]|cos θ[itex]_{13}[/itex])/r[itex]_{13}[/itex][itex]^{2}[/itex]

= -k[itex]_{c}[/itex]([itex]\frac{8.1}{8.65}[/itex] * [itex]\frac{1.7}{sqrt(8.65)}[/itex] + [itex]\frac{7.9}{8.32}[/itex] * [itex]\frac{1.6}{sqrt(8.32)}[/itex])

is this the right way to do it?
attachment.php?attachmentid=43259&d=1327869883.png


Not quite alright.

Where are the angles, θ12 , θ13 ?
 

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