Does electric field obey superposition?

In summary, the electric field between two fixed electrons can create a force on each other, causing repulsion. As the distance between the two electrons increases, the strength of the electric field decreases. This can be calculated using Gauss's law and the principle of superposition.
  • #1
Sammy101
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Does electric field vary with distance? For example, When I fix an electron along an axis and then fix another electron let's say 5m along the x-axis from the first, the first electron has an electric field that is creating a force on the other electron. If I free the second electron to move, it will be repelled. As the second electron is further and further repelled, does the strenght of the electric field between the two electrons now decrease? (In other words, does the electric field of the fixed charge decrease as the second charge is further and further repelled from it?)
 
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  • #2
E fields obey superposition. So if you want to know the E field at any point from both electrons just find the E field for each electron using Gauss's law and then add those solutions together.
 

FAQ: Does electric field obey superposition?

What is an electric field?

An electric field is a physical field created by charged particles that exert a force on other charged particles within the field. It is represented by a vector quantity and is measured in units of voltage per distance, such as volts per meter.

How does distance affect the strength of an electric field?

The strength of an electric field is inversely proportional to the distance from the source charge. This means that as the distance increases, the strength of the electric field decreases. This relationship is described by Coulomb's Law, which states that the force between two charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

What is the formula for calculating electric field strength?

The formula for calculating electric field strength is E = F/q, where E is the electric field strength in volts per meter, F is the force in newtons, and q is the magnitude of the charge in coulombs. This formula can also be written as E = kQ/r^2, where k is the Coulomb's constant, Q is the source charge, and r is the distance from the source charge.

How does changing the distance between two charges affect the electric field?

As the distance between two charges changes, the electric field will also change. If the distance decreases, the electric field will become stronger, and if the distance increases, the electric field will become weaker. This is because the electric field follows the inverse square law, meaning that the strength of the field decreases exponentially as the distance increases.

Can electric fields exist in a vacuum?

Yes, electric fields can exist in a vacuum. In fact, light is an example of an electric field that can travel through a vacuum without the need for a medium. This is because electric fields are created by charged particles, and charged particles exist everywhere, even in a vacuum. However, the strength of an electric field in a vacuum is affected by the presence of other charged particles or objects nearby.

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