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

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the x-component of the electric field at point P formed by two equilateral triangles with charges at their vertices. The charges involved are +5 µC, -5 µC, -9.3 µC, and +18.6 µC, with the side length of the triangles being 66 m. The user initially miscalculated the x-component of the electric field, arriving at 14.12 N/C, but later corrected their approach to focus on the y-component, ultimately finding a total of -26.94 N/C. The conversation highlights the importance of accurately considering charge positions and their contributions to the electric field.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Coulomb's Law and electric field calculations
  • Familiarity with the concept of electric field components
  • Knowledge of equilateral triangle geometry in physics
  • Proficiency in using the constant k (Coulomb's constant) in calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to calculate electric field vectors in two dimensions
  • Study the principles of superposition in electric fields
  • Explore the effects of multiple point charges on electric fields
  • Investigate the relationship between charge distribution and electric field strength
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in electrostatics, particularly those studying electric fields generated by multiple point charges.

Punchlinegirl
Messages
221
Reaction score
0
An equilateral triangle with sides 66 m has charges +5 [tex]\mu C[/tex], -5 [tex]\mu C[/tex], and -9.3 [tex]\mu C[/tex] at its vertices and charge + 18.6 [tex]\mu C[/tex] at the midpoint on its side between the vertices with charges [tex]+5 and -5 \mu C[/tex]. What is the magnitude of the x-component of the electric field at point P, the point forming a second equilateral triangle with +5 [tex]\mu C and -5 \mu C[/tex]? 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 [tex]\mu C[/tex] 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?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 68 ·
3
Replies
68
Views
8K