Superposition of Electric Fields

AI Thread Summary
To find the electric field at point A due to two charges, q1 and q2, one must use the formula kQ/r^2 for each charge, where k is Coulomb's constant. For the first scenario with q1=2.00 μC and q2=3.00 μC, the individual electric fields from each charge should be calculated and then superimposed to get the total field. The correct approach involves determining the direction of each field and ensuring they are added vectorially. In the second scenario with q1=2.00 μC and q2=-3.00 μC, the negative charge will affect the direction of the resultant electric field. Understanding these principles clarifies how to solve the problem correctly.
Jimerd
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I know this problem is simple enough but I can't get the hang of it

Find the electric field at point A in the diagram if (a) q1=2.00 μC and q2=3.00 μC. (b) q1=2.00 μC and q2= -3.00 μC.

physics.png


Thank you.

P.S. If you can explain how you solved the problem that would be great. I'd really like to know what it is that I'm doing.

Homework Statement


Homework Equations


(9E9)(2E-6)(3E-6)/(0.5)^2=0.216 but the text tells me the answer is 1.26E5 for (a) so I'm not sure how to go about this.
 
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You're using Coulomb's law, that is only applicable to finding the force between two charges. You are looking for the field at A. To find the field from a point charge, you would use kQ/r^2, where k is Coulomb's constant, Q is the source charge, and r is the distance from the charge. Electric fields super impose, so you can find the field from each charge separately and then add them together.
 

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