Stuck on this one electric field problem

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 2K views
vitaebellaa
Messages
5
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


f05du8.png


Homework Equations


E=k*Q/r^2


The Attempt at a Solution



Ey=E1sin30 + E2sin30 + E3; where E1=E2 (I'm denoting the 2 bottom charges as E1,E2, the negative as E3)
Ex=E1cos30 - E2cos30, this cancels.
from E=k*Q/r^2
I calculated r^2 to be L^4/4 (don't know if this is right... trig. and I haven't really been on speaking terms since high school)
since sin30=1/2... E1(1/2) + E2(1/2) just equal (1)E1; E1=k*Q/(L^4/4)
I guess from there I would have to add the y component of E3, which would be k*Q/(L^2/4)
Is my math/'plan of attack' okay so far? Is the next step simply adding E1 + E3 and simplifying?

THANK YOU! :smile:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
hi vitaebellaa! :smile:

yes that's the correct method (obviously, you meant L2 not L4) …

for r, draw a right-angled triangle with length L/2 :wink: