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nawand
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Homework Statement
The first one has charge Q is at "-a" from origin the second is at "+3a" which is an unknown charge.What are the values for unknown charge if at the origin the net electric field they produce with magnitude 2Ke(Q/a2)
Homework Equations
Ke (Q/a2)i - Ke(q/9a2)=2Ke(Q/a2)i
if charge is negative
or
if the charge is positive
Ke (Q/a2)i - Ke(q/9a2)=-2Ke(Q/a2)i
The Attempt at a Solution
The question is how to choose signs for equation.
Attempt:
Assuming charge one is pointed towards the origin along x-axis so the sign will be "+i" and the second charge is pointed towards the origin in the negative x direction so tthe sign will be "-i".
Two possible values are at the origin: "+" or "-" 2Ke(Q/a2) .
If you choose "+" at the origin the answer will be -9Q. And for case chosen "-" sign in the origin, the answer will be 27Q so the particle has positive charge.
I wondering if this is the explanation?