Work required to move a charge through an electric field (3D)

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 3K views
GAtechie291
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


"This problem regards the work required to move a 6nC charge through an electric field given by

E =
wolframalpha-20110921163646221.gif


Initial point is at (2,-2,3)

Total length the charge is being moved = 2µm

Unit path length vector: a_l = -6/7 * a_x + 3/7 * a_y + 2/7 * a_z



Homework Equations


W = -Q * integral(E dL, from init position --> final position)


The Attempt at a Solution



I'm having trouble setting up this integral because I'm not sure how to determine the final position given the initial position and the distance traveled. Or is that not necessary?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think the charge is moving in a straight line in the direction given by the above,

"Unit path length vector: a_l = -6/7 * a_x + 3/7 * a_y + 2/7 * a_z"

You know the distance traveled and the starting point.

Good luck!