Where does electric field go to zero?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the position where the electric field due to two point charges becomes zero. Participants are exploring the application of Coulomb's law in vector form to analyze the electric fields generated by a 1C charge and a -9C charge.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply vector forms of Coulomb's law to find the point where the electric field is zero. Questions arise regarding the direction of electric fields and the conditions under which they can be superimposed. There is also discussion about the implications of charge signs on electric field direction.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the directionality of electric fields and the conditions necessary for their superposition. There is acknowledgment of a misunderstanding regarding the distance vector, and a participant suggests a clearer approach to the problem using vector notation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of vector representation in electric fields, with some noting discrepancies in their equations and the need for clarity in their coordinate systems. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations and attempts to reconcile different approaches to the problem.

baby_1
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Hello
Here is an example.we want to calculate value of x where Electric filed going to be zero.i want to use vector form of coulomb equation
4340101300_1402253250.jpg

So as we know
8648817800_1402254057.png

for 1c:
6134598200_1402254056.png

for -9C:
8295098200_1402254056.png

so as we do superposition we obtain
7117543900_1402254057.png

So
8132467900_1402254057.png

In this problem x doesn't have any real number.what is my problem?

Any help appreciate
 
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Why does your second equation have a -ax, but your third equation doesn't?
 
The electric field due to the two charges should be pointing in different directions at some position x to the left of the 1C charge. This condition is not met in the equation where you superimpose the fields.
 
Hello
Dear Jilang
Jilang said:
Why does your second equation have a -ax, but your third equation doesn't?
Electric filed in equation 2 is in (-ax) direction but the third equation is in (+ax) direction it is because of charges positive or negative value.


CAF123 said:
The electric field due to the two charges should be pointing in different directions at some position x to the left of the 1C charge. This condition is not met in the equation where you superimpose the fields.
dear CAF123
as i check the book answer that use only coulomb scale form,EF pointing and where electric filed going to be zero is in near 1c charge but outside of two charges distribution.
8x+10%29%5E2%7D%3D%3E%5Cfrac%7B1%7D%7Bx%7D%3D%5Cfrac%7B3%7D%7B%28x+10%29%7D%3D%3Ex%3D5.gif

but i want to use vector form of coulomb equation.
 
Last edited:
baby_1 said:
dear CAF123
as i check the book answer that use only coulomb scale form,EF pointing and where electric filed going to be zero is in near 1c charge but outside of two charges distribution.
8x+10%29%5E2%7D%3D%3E%5Cfrac%7B1%7D%7Bx%7D%3D%5Cfrac%7B3%7D%7B%28x+10%29%7D%3D%3Ex%3D5.gif

but i want to use vector form of coulomb equation.
In your coordinate system, the E field from the 1C charge at a distance x defined in the sketch is ##E_{1C} = - kq_1/x^2 \underline{e}_x ##. That of the -9C charge is ##E_{-9C} = kq_2/(10+x)^2 \underline{e}_x##. ##q_1, q_2## here are the magnitudes of the charges and their differing sign is manifest in the reversal of the unit vector.
 
Hello
Dear CAF123
Thanks for your response
however i don't agree with your explanation it is because of charges act.for example we know that the electric filed line of a dot positive charge is :
positive.gif

and EF equation is :
gif.latex?%5Cvec%7BE%7D%3D%5Cfrac%7BQ%7D%7B4%5Cpi%20%5Cvarepsilon%20r%5E2%7D.%5Chat%7Br%7D.gif

but if we put a dot negative charge that EF line is same as here
negative.gif

we can only change the sign of charge and have a correct form.
gif.latex?%5Cvec%7BE%7D%3D%5Cfrac%7B-Q%7D%7B4%5Cpi%20%5Cvarepsilon%20r%5E2%7D.%5Chat%7Br%7D.gif


now why the vector form of coulomb equation doesn't work here?
 
baby_1 said:
we can only change the sign of charge and have a correct form.
gif.latex?%5Cvec%7BE%7D%3D%5Cfrac%7B-Q%7D%7B4%5Cpi%20%5Cvarepsilon%20r%5E2%7D.%5Chat%7Br%7D.gif

now why the vector form of coulomb equation doesn't work here?

That is the same as $$\vec E = \frac{Q}{4 \pi \epsilon_o r^2} (- \hat r) = -\frac{Q}{4 \pi \epsilon_o r^2} \hat r$$ If you look at the picture, the electric field due to a point charge is spherically symmetric and the radial vector is defined to be positive radially outwards (spherical coordinates convention). In the case of a negative charge, the field lines move in the radially inwards direction, which is exactly what ##-\hat r## in the above equation is telling you.
 
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Hi Baby_1 , your post #6 is correct. But the r vectors both go the same way, pointing to the left of both charges in the negative x direction.
 
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Thanks dear CAF123 & jilang for your response.
I found my problem.i wrote wrong the distance vector.here is an Electromagnetic book that explain better
8633574300_1402386266.png

here is the correct answer :
1031429900_1402426382.png
 
  • #10
Is that the correct answer or correct equation?

Try this:

You know the electric field is 0 at some point.

This means that ##\sum E_{q} = ?##

Expand the sum and you have an equality to work with that's fairly easy to solve, and you're "using" the vector form of columbs law. Really, in this situation, the vectors are only useful for telling you the direction of the contribution to the field at a point by the respective point charge.
 
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  • #11
also I think you meant ##K\frac{9}{(x+10)^2}a\hat{x}##
 
  • #12
Well done Baby_1!
 

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