Understanding the Components of Electric Charge Equation

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on understanding the components of the electric charge equation, specifically the origins of the SQRT(3Q) and 2L^2 terms. Participants clarify that these components arise from breaking the electric field vector into its x and y components using trigonometric functions. The cosine and sine values for a 30-degree angle, specifically cos(30) = SQRT(3)/2 and sin(30) = 1/2, are essential for this breakdown. The lack of a strong background in trigonometry is acknowledged as a challenge for some participants. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of trigonometric principles in understanding electric field calculations.
tchounkovskii
Messages
7
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


The question lies in the equation, I do not understand where the SQRT of 3Q or the 2L^2 is coming from?

Can somebody help me with this? The professor kinda breezed by this but I cannot find a valid explanation anywhere!

Thanks in advance!
 

Attachments

  • Picture 3.png
    Picture 3.png
    3.6 KB · Views: 447
Physics news on Phys.org
It looks like they are breaking the electric field vector into its x and y components. Knowing a little bit of trig you get cos(30) = sqrt(3)/2 and sin(30) = 1/2.
 
oh ok, see...i didn't take trig in HS :( I should have known better..oh well. thanks for the help.
 

Thread 'Magnitude of buoyant force in fluids of different densities'

The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?
View full post »

Similar threads

Potential and Electric Field near a Charged CD Disk
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Electric field external to Conducting Hollow Sphere with charge inside
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
4K
I Thought I Understood Gauss' Law (Sheets)
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
Electric field lines outside a neutral conducting spherical shell
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Understanding the Electric Field of a Charged Sphere
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Charge density of capacitor plates
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
Magnitude of electric field E on a concentric spherical shell
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Finding Equilibrium in Electric Fields of Two Charges
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Method of mirroring - metal plates
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Electric Field of a Charged Sphere?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K