How Is Electric Force Calculated Without Distance?

[Kiely]

Homework Statement

Find the magnitude and direction at the midpoint of two point charges q1=20nC and q2=-40nC

Homework Equations

How can we answer the question if we aren't given the distance?

The Attempt at a Solution

Do I solve in terms of x for distance and use the formula F=K(q1q2)/r^2?

 

[berkeman]

Homework Statement

Find the magnitude and direction at the midpoint of two point charges q1=20nC and q2=-40nC

Homework Equations

How can we answer the question if we aren't given the distance?

The Attempt at a Solution

Do I solve in terms of x for distance and use the formula F=K(q1q2)/r^2?

Welcome to the PF.

Are you sure that you are not given a separation distance? You would need that in order to calculate the resulting E field...

 

[Doc Al]

Homework Statement

Find the magnitude and direction at the midpoint of two point charges q1=20nC and q2=-40nC

Magnitude and direction of what? The electric field?

Is there a diagram to accompany this problem?

How can we answer the question if we aren't given the distance?

Seems like that would be a key piece of information.

Do I solve in terms of x for distance and use the formula F=K(q1q2)/r^2?

You could do that, but my guess is that they meant you to have the distance. Seems too odd to give you the charges but not the distance between them.

 

[vela]

Was there a figure that accompanied the problem? Perhaps the needed information is on there.