What is the electric field at point P with given coordinates?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric field at a specific point due to two point charges, one positive and one negative, located on the x-axis. The point of interest is positioned above the charges on the y-axis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the interpretation of the problem setup, including the relative positions of the charges and the point P. There are attempts to calculate the electric field contributions from each charge, with discussions on how to decompose these into components. Some participants express uncertainty about the angles involved and the correct application of trigonometric functions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various calculations and interpretations being explored. Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem, including the need to clarify angles and components. There is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the calculations yet, as participants continue to question and refine their reasoning.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential ambiguities in the problem statement regarding the positions of the charges. There is also a focus on ensuring proper unit conversions and understanding the implications of using microcoulombs in calculations.

~christina~
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Homework Statement


A charge [tex]q_1= 7.0\mu C[/tex] is located at the origin, and a second charge [tex]q_2= -5.0 \mu C[/tex]is located on the x-axis, 0.30m from the origin. Find the electric field (maginitude and direction) at the point P, which has the coordinates (0,0.40)m.

Homework Equations


[tex]E = k_e \sum \frac{q} {r_i^2} \hat{r}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



well,

[tex]q_1= 7.0 \mu C[/tex]

[tex]q_2= -5.0 \mu C[/tex]

r= 0.30m

y= 0.40m

how would I find the field if I'm given the coordinates of 0, and 0.40 which would mean that If I'm reading that right. then it would mean that it's 0.40m above the charges in the y direction?

Not sure if this picture is correct but I tried to draw the layout of the problem.

Untitled-1.jpg
 
Last edited:
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~christina~ said:

Homework Statement


A charge [tex]q_1= 7.0\mu C[/tex] is located at the origin, and a second charge [tex]q_2= -5.0 \mu C[/tex]is located on the x-axis, 0.30m from the origin. Find the electric field (maginitude and direction) at the point P, which has the coordinates (0,0.40)m.

Homework Equations


[tex]E = k_e \sum \frac{q} {r_i^2} \hat{r}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



well,

[tex]q_1= 7.0 \mu C[/tex]

[tex]q_2= -5.0 \mu C[/tex]

r= 0.30m

y= 0.40m

how would I find the field if I'm given the coordinates of 0, and 0.40 which would mean that If I'm reading that right. then it would mean that it's 0.40m above the charges in the y direction?

Not sure if this picture is correct but I tried to draw the layout of the problem.

Untitled-1.jpg

yes, it looks like you interpreted the question correctly (although I personally would have thought that q2 would be to the right of q1 but the question is ambiguous about this point).

Find th emagnitude and direction of the Efield produced by each charge at that point, then decompose them into x and y components and find the total Efield.

By the way, I am curious: what software did you use to make this nice drawing?
 
nrqed said:
yes, it looks like you interpreted the question correctly (although I personally would have thought that q2 would be to the right of q1 but the question is ambiguous about this point).

Find th emagnitude and direction of the Efield produced by each charge at that point, then decompose them into x and y components and find the total Efield.
I just noticed that I wrote, [tex]q= -4 \mu[/tex] when it's supposed to be [tex]q= -5 \mu[/tex] and I put it on that side since I thought that since it was negative it should be on the left side but thinking about it again it shouldn't really matter since it's a charge I think.

but if the charge is not at an angle but right below the point P would the r be just 0.40m?

[tex]E_1= k_e \frac{|q_1|} {r_1^2}= 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|7.0 \mu C|} {0.40m^2}= = 3.932 x 10^{11}[/tex]

and

[tex]E_2 = 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|-5.0\mu C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= 3.12x10^{12}[/tex]

(not sure the units of the Electric field either)

for each it woud be

[tex]E_2 = 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|-5.0\mu C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= 3.12x10^{12} cos \hat{i} - 3.12x10^{12} sin \hat{j}[/tex]

and

[tex]E_1= 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|7.0\mu C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= 3.932 x 10^{11} cos \hat{i} + 3.932 x 10^{11} sin \hat{j}[/tex]

not sure how to divide the forces for the first q1 though
[tex]E_x= 3.12x10^{12} cos (45) j + 3.932 x 10^{11} cos (90)j[/tex]

[tex]E_y= 3.12x10^{12} sin (45) j + 3.932 x 10^{11} sin (90)j[/tex]

Is this right?

By the way, I am curious: what software did you use to make this nice drawing?

nice software? => paint :smile: (thus no theta sign)
 
~christina~ said:
I just noticed that I wrote, [tex]q= -4 \mu[/tex] when it's supposed to be [tex]q= -5 \mu[/tex] and I put it on that side since I thought that since it was negative it should be on the left side but thinking about it again it shouldn't really matter since it's a charge I think.

but if the charge is not at an angle but right below the point P would the r be just 0.40m?

[tex]E_1= k_e \frac{|q_1|} {r_1^2}= 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|7.0 \mu C|} {0.40m^2}= = 3.932 x 10^{11}[/tex]

and

[tex]E_2 = 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|-5.0\mu C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= 3.12x10^{12}[/tex]
The charges are in microcoulombs. One microcoulomb is how many coulombs?
(not sure the units of the Electric field either)
You should be able to tell by simply including the units on all the quantities in your equations and simpifying the units.
for each it woud be

[tex]E_2 = 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|-5.0\mu C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= 3.12x10^{12} cos \hat{i} - 3.12x10^{12} sin \hat{j}[/tex]

and

[tex]E_1= 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|7.0\mu C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= 3.932 x 10^{11} cos \hat{i} + 3.932 x 10^{11} sin \hat{j}[/tex]
I guess you forgot to include the angles in the trig functions! If you give the angle with respect to the positive x axis, all the terms should be positive. But some people prefer to use angles defined in a different way (from a different axis) so it varies. I can't tell you if your signs are correct if you don't tell me what are your angles.

What you need to figure out i sthe angle that each of the
not sure how to divide the forces for the first q1 though
[tex]E_x= 3.12x10^{12} cos (45) j + 3.932 x 10^{11} cos (90)j[/tex]

[tex]E_y= 3.12x10^{12} sin (45) j + 3.932 x 10^{11} sin (90)j[/tex]

Is this right?

No. You are mixing components with vectors. A component is NOT a vector so what you wrote does no make sense. You should not have put i and j unit vectors there.


And how did you decide that one of the angles was 45 degrees? This is not the case!
 
nrqed said:
The charges are in microcoulombs. One microcoulomb is how many coulombs?

[tex]1C= 1x10^-6 \mu C[/tex]

You should be able to tell by simply including the units on all the quantities in your equations and simpifying the units.

okay. Is it N/m*C ?

I guess you forgot to include the angles in the trig functions! If you give the angle with respect to the positive x axis, all the terms should be positive. But some people prefer to use angles defined in a different way (from a different axis) so it varies. I can't tell you if your signs are correct if you don't tell me what are your angles.

hm..well to find the angles I guess I have to do trig. (it looked like 45 so I used 45)
so. 0.30^2 + 0.40^2= 0.5 (hypotenuse)
[tex]sin ^{-1}(0.40m / 0.50m)= 53.13^o[/tex]

[tex]E_2 = 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|-5x10^{-6} C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= -7.19x10^{5} cos(53.13) \hat{i} - (-7.19x10^5) sin (53.13)\hat{j}[/tex]

and

[tex]E_1= 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|7x10^{-6}C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= 2.51x10^5 cos (90)\hat{i} + 2.51x10^5 sin(90) \hat{j}[/tex]


is this right?


No. You are mixing components with vectors. A component is NOT a vector so what you wrote does no make sense. You should not have put i and j unit vectors there.

So it's right if it has no vectors?
 
Last edited:
~christina~ said:
[tex]1C= 1x10^-6 \mu C[/tex]



okay. Is it N/m*C ?



hm..well to find the angles I guess I have to do trig. (it looked like 45 so I used 45)
so. 0.30^2 + 0.40^2= 0.5 (hypotenuse)
[tex]sin ^{-1}(0.40m / 0.50m)= 53.13^o[/tex]

[tex]E_2 = 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|-5x10^{-6} C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= -7.19x10^{5} cos(53.13) \hat{i} - (-7.19x10^5) sin (53.13)\hat{j}[/tex]
there should only be one minus sign in the second term (the y component of the E field should come out negative, right?)
and

[tex]E_1= 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|7x10^{-6}C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= 2.51x10^5 cos (90)\hat{i} + 2.51x10^5 sin(90) \hat{j}[/tex]
Probably a typo but you need to divide by 0.40^2 only.

I did not check the actual numerical values but it looks good.
 
nrqed said:
there should only be one minus sign in the second term (the y component of the E field should come out negative, right?)

[tex]E_2 = 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|-5x10^{-6} C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= -7.19x10^{5} cos(53.13) \hat{i} - (-7.19x10^5) sin (53.13)\hat{j}[/tex]

Probably a typo but you need to divide by 0.40^2 only.

oh yep I typed that before but it should be only 0.40^2

[tex]E_1= 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|7x10^{-6}C|} {0.40^2}= 2.51x10^5 sin(90) \hat{j}[/tex]

I did not check the actual numerical values but it looks good.

alright is this fine now? I think I would add them together right?
 
~christina~ said:
[tex]1C= 1x10^-6 \mu C[/tex]



okay. Is it N/m*C ?



hm..well to find the angles I guess I have to do trig. (it looked like 45 so I used 45)
so. 0.30^2 + 0.40^2= 0.5 (hypotenuse)
[tex]sin ^{-1}(0.40m / 0.50m)= 53.13^o[/tex]

[tex]E_2 = 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|-5x10^{-6} C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= -7.19x10^{5} cos(53.13) \hat{i} - (-7.19x10^5) sin (53.13)\hat{j}[/tex]

and

[tex]E_1= 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|7x10^{-6}C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= 2.51x10^5 cos (90)\hat{i} + 2.51x10^5 sin(90) \hat{j}[/tex]


is this right?




So it's right if it has no vectors?


Looks fine (except that there is still two minus signs in the y component of [tex]\vec{E}_1[/tex]; there should be only one minus sign).

yes, add up all the x and y components.
 
nrqed said:
Looks fine (except that there is still two minus signs in the y component of [tex]\vec{E}_1[/tex]; there should be only one minus sign).

yes, add up all the x and y components.


[tex]E_2 = 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|-5x10^{-6} C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= -7.19x10^{5} cos(53.13) \hat{i} + (-7.19x10^5) sin (53.13)\hat{j}[/tex]

I thought you meant E2 but I fixed E1 below...right ? E 1

[tex]E_1= 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|7x10^{-6}C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= 2.51x10^5 sin(90) \hat{j}[/tex]

and I think I shouldn't have a x component for E1 since it is only directed in the y direction...which is up thus possitive

I'm not sure what you are speaking of unfortunately (if the above is incorrrect)
 
  • #10
Correction from above

[tex]E_2 = 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|-5x10^{-6} C|} {0.30^2+ 0.40^2}= -7.19x10^{5} cos(53.13) \hat{i} + (-7.19x10^5) sin (53.13)\hat{j}[/tex]

I thought you meant E2 but I fixed E1 below...right ? E 1

[tex]E_1= 8.9876x10^9N*m^2/C^2 \frac{|7x10^{-6}C|} {0.40^2}= 2.51x10^5 sin(90) \hat{j}[/tex]

and I think I shouldn't have a x component for E1 since it is only directed in the y direction...which is up thus possitive

I'm not sure what you are speaking of unfortunately (if the above is incorrrect)
 

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