Electric field and electric force

In summary, the electric field at location of charge q is the vector sum of fields due to 2q, 3q and 4q.
  • #1
-EquinoX-
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1

Homework Statement



What is the electric field at location of charge q

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Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



My intuition in solving this is by finding the field of each charges relative to q and add them all, so for example for the 2q charges relative to q, the electric forces it contributes is ke * 2q/a^2, am I right?
 
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  • #2
You have to find the magnitude and direction of forces due to three charges at q, and then find the vector sum of all forces.
 
  • #3
That's what I was trying to say, so say the magnitude of the force 2q at q is ke * 2q/a^2 in the positive x direction (or i hat) , am I right?
 
  • #4
Yes. You right. Similarly find the forces due to 3q and 4q, and find the vector sum.
 
  • #5
hmm..for the 3q charge, the distance to q is sqrt(2)a, so therefore the magnitude can be found by:

ke * 3q/(sqrt(2)a)^2 cos(45) i + ke * 3q/(sqrt(2)a)^2 sin(45) j

is this correct?
 
  • #6
-EquinoX- said:
hmm..for the 3q charge, the distance to q is sqrt(2)a, so therefore the magnitude can be found by:

ke * 3q/(sqrt(2)a)^2 cos(45) i + ke * 3q/(sqrt(2)a)^2 sin(45) j

is this correct?
You can directly wright down as ke*3q/2a^2 for 3q and ke*4q/a^2.
Field due 2q and 4q are perpendicular to each other. Find the resultant of these fields. Add it to the field due to 3q to get the final field.
 
  • #7
>>Field due 2q and 4q are perpendicular to each other. Find the resultant of these fields.

Well I already did find the field due 2q and q right? Why do I have to find between 2q and 41? The question asks with respect to q
 
  • #8
The field at location of charge q is the vector sum of fields due to 2q, 3q and 4q.
 
  • #9
Thats trueand so why is my answer 2 posts above is wrong?
 

FAQ: Electric field and electric force

What is an electric field?

An electric field is a force field that surrounds an electrically charged particle or object. It is created by the presence of an electric charge and can exert a force on other charged particles within its vicinity.

How is an electric field different from an electric force?

An electric force is the force exerted on a charged particle within an electric field. The electric field is the cause of the electric force, while the electric force is the effect of the electric field on a charged particle.

What factors affect the strength of an electric field?

The strength of an electric field is affected by the magnitude and distance of the electric charges creating the field. The closer the charges are to each other, the stronger the electric field will be. The strength of the electric field also decreases as the distance from the charges increases.

How is the direction of an electric field determined?

The direction of an electric field is determined by the direction of the electric force it exerts on a positive test charge. The electric field lines point in the direction that a positive test charge would be pushed or pulled if placed in the field.

What are some real-life applications of electric fields and electric force?

Electric fields and electric force have many practical applications, such as in electric motors, generators, and capacitors. They are also used in medical devices, such as MRI machines, and in everyday items like cell phones and computers.

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