What is the magnitude of the x-component of the electric field at point P?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the x-component of the electric field at point P, formed by two equilateral triangles with specified charges at their vertices and midpoint. Initial calculations for the electric field components were attempted, but the user realized they were incorrect and needed assistance. The user later shifted focus to the y-component of the electric field, providing various calculations for different charge contributions. Despite these efforts, the user expressed uncertainty about the accuracy of their results and sought further help. The conversation highlights the complexities involved in calculating electric fields in a multi-charge system.
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An equilateral triangle with sides 66 m has charges +5 \mu C, -5 \mu C, and -9.3 \mu C at its vertices and charge + 18.6 \mu C at the midpoint on its side between the vertices with charges +5 and -5 \mu C. What is the magnitude of the x-component of the electric field at point P, the point forming a second equilateral triangle with +5 \mu C and -5 \mu C? Answer in units of N/C.
Sorry I don't have a picture but it's 2 equilateral triangles that look like a mirror image of each other.
First I drew a picture of what the electric fields would look like. The -9.3 and 18.6 \mu C would not have a y-component, so I ignored those for now.
so I found that
k * 5 x 10^-6/ 66^2 * 33/66 = 5.17
and k * -5 x 10^-6 / 66^2 *57.2/66 = 8.95 (since it's absolute value of the charge)
So E_x= 14.12... which isn't right.. help please?
 
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Ok I figured out what I was doing wrong... the second part of the problem asks for the magnitude of the y-component of the electric field at point P.
E_1 = k * 5 x 10^-6 / 66^2 * 57.2/66 = 8.93
E_2 = 8.93 (same set up as E_1)
E_3 = k * 18.6 x 10^-6 / 57.2^2 = -51.2, since the field would be downward
E_4 = k * 9.3 x 10^-6 / 114.4^2 = 6.40
8.93+8.93-51.2+6.40= -26.94
This isn't right.. can someone help me?
 
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