Three charges/electric field problem

1. Sep 2, 2006

FlipStyle1308

Here is the problem which I need to solve:

The following picture shows a system consisting of three charges, q1 = +4.07 μC, q2 = +4.07 μC, and q3 = -4.07 μC, at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side d = 2.29 cm. Find the magnitude of the electric field at a point halfway between the charges q1 and q2. Also find the magnitude of the electric field at the point halfway between the charges q2 and q3.

I am not too sure on how to solve this, so a little help would be good. Nothing is listed in my textbook about how to approach this. I was thinking of using the distance formula from mat, but I don't know how to incorporate the charges into the problem.

2. Sep 2, 2006

Päällikkö

Please show your own work. You must at least know some equations you think are related to this problem?

3. Sep 2, 2006

FlipStyle1308

For the first part of the problem, I used F21 = (k lq1l lq2l)/r^2, and got 2.8397 x 10^26N. How do I change this to get my answer into N/C?

Or was I supposed to use E= k(lql/r^2)? If so, how do I solve with this equation?

Last edited: Sep 2, 2006
4. Sep 2, 2006

5. Sep 2, 2006

neutrino

That's correct. Well, almost. That's the magnitude of the elctric field due to one charge q. The question asks you to find the field due to three charges. So you solve them vectorially, and then find the magnitude of the resultant.

6. Sep 2, 2006

FlipStyle1308

Is this the correct equation:

7. Sep 2, 2006

neutrino

Still, that's just the magnitude. Go the 'Multiple Point Charges' section in the link I provided.

8. Sep 2, 2006

FlipStyle1308

Okay, so I use . I still do not know how to incorporate the problem into the equation.

9. Sep 2, 2006

neutrino

10. Sep 2, 2006

FlipStyle1308

I do know how to calculate components along axes, but I don't know how to incorporate the sides of the equilateral triangle into the problem. Since the distance between two points is given (one side of the equilateral triangle), shouldn't that mean I don't have to find x and y components?

11. Sep 2, 2006

neutrino

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. The quesiton asks for the field at the midpoints of the line q1q2 and q1q3. These points are not the at same distance away from all the charges.

12. Sep 2, 2006

FlipStyle1308

Okay, I know, but I'm just confused on how to set this up. Would you be able to give me a starting equation (with values), and then I can try to work my way from there?

13. Sep 2, 2006

neutrino

$$E_1_x = k\frac{q_1}{(d/2)^2}\cos60$$
$$E_1_y = k\frac{q_1}{(d/2)^2}\sin60$$

For the first problem, those are the components of the field due to the first charge, q1. Do keep in mind that signs of the charges play an important role.

14. Sep 2, 2006

FlipStyle1308

Okay, thanks. So I found E1x = 139,544,631.1N/C and E1y = 241,698,391N/C, so E1net = 279,087,799.8N/C. Is this correct? What about for E2?

Last edited: Sep 2, 2006
15. Sep 2, 2006

neutrino

You don't find E1net. Add the x components of all the fields (with the sign), and then y components, seperately. This will give you components of the resultant field. Then find the magnitude. For reference, have a look at the diagrams in that link.

What about for E2?
You've got to find it out. :)

16. Sep 2, 2006

FlipStyle1308

I kinda worked ahead while waiting for your response, and I realized I don't need E1net. For E2x should my answer be the same as E1y and my answer for E2y should be the same as E1x?

17. Sep 2, 2006

neutrino

Nope. What do you think would happen to the field at a point midway between two equal charges?

18. Sep 2, 2006

FlipStyle1308

Would it balance out to zero?

19. Sep 2, 2006

neutrino

Exactly. Now, what does that tell you about E2's components?

20. Sep 2, 2006

FlipStyle1308

E2x = -E1y and E2y = -E1x? Is that right? Do I need to calculate anything for E3?

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