What is the Electric Field Intensity Midway Between Two Point Charges?

In summary, the problem involves two point charges (+30μC and -9μC) separated by a distance of 20.0 cm and asks for the intensity of the electric field E at the midpoint between the two charges. The equations used to solve the problem include the force electric equation (kQq/r^2) and the electric field equation (kQ/r^2). To solve, the electric fields at the midpoint are calculated for each charge and then added together, resulting in an overall field pointing towards the negative charge.
  • #1
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Homework Statement



Two point charges of +30μC and -9μC are separated by a distance of 20.0 cm. What is the intensity of electric field E midway between these two charges?

Homework Equations



force electric= kQq/ r^2
Electric field= force elctric /q
= k X Q / r^2

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried finding the electric field intensity for both point chrages at 10 cm and tried adding them together but that didn't work..
 
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  • #2
Is that really how the problem is worded.
I don't believe electric fields to have an intensity...

I would just find the value of the electric fields at the half way distance and add them up. Then the overall field will point toward the negative charge.
 

FAQ: What is the Electric Field Intensity Midway Between Two Point Charges?

What is an electric field?

An electric field is a region in space where an electric force can be felt. It is created by electric charges and can exert a force on other charges in the field. The strength and direction of the electric field is determined by the magnitude and location of the charges.

How is an electric field calculated?

According to Coulomb's law, the electric field at a point is equal to the force between two charges divided by the distance between them squared. This can be represented by the equation E = kQ/r^2, where E is the electric field, k is the Coulomb's constant, Q is the charge creating the field, and r is the distance from the charge.

What is Coulomb's law?

Coulomb's law is a fundamental principle in physics that describes the magnitude of force between two electrically charged objects. It states that the force is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

How does distance affect the strength of an electric field?

The strength of an electric field decreases as the distance from the source charge increases. This is because the electric force follows an inverse-square law, meaning that the force decreases exponentially as the distance increases. Therefore, the farther away a charge is from the source, the weaker the electric field will be.

Can electric fields be shielded or blocked?

Electric fields can be shielded or blocked by conductive materials such as metal. This is because conductors allow charges to flow freely, so the electric field is effectively cancelled out. However, insulating materials cannot block electric fields, as charges cannot flow freely through them.

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