Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 25 - Electric Charges and Forces - Exercises and Problems - Page 748: 65

Answer

See the detailed answer below.

Work Step by Step

First, we need to sketch the given graph to draw the electric fields directions, as shown below. $$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ $\bullet\bullet$ The electric field at point P from charge $q_1$ is given by $$E_1=\dfrac{kq_1}{r_1^2}(\cos\theta_1\;\hat i+\sin\theta_1\;\hat j)$$ where, from the geometry of the figure below, $\sin\theta_1=-0.01/r_1$, and $\cos\theta_1=0.03/r_1$. So, $$E_1=\dfrac{kq_1}{r_1^3}(0.03\;\hat i-0.01\;\hat j)$$ and we can see that $r_1=\sqrt{0.01^2+0.03^2}$ $$E_1=\dfrac{kq_1}{(0.01^2+0.03^2)^{\frac{3}{2}}}(0.03\;\hat i-0.01\;\hat j)$$ Plugging the known; $$E_1=\dfrac{(9.0\times 10^9)(1\times 10^{-9})}{(0.01^2+0.03^2)^{\frac{3}{2}}}(0.03\;\hat i-0.01\;\hat j)$$ $$E_1=(\color{red}{\bf 8.5}\;\hat i-\color{red}{\bf 2.8}\;\hat j)\;\rm kN/C$$ $\bullet\bullet$ The electric field at point P from charge $q_2$ is given by $$E_2=\dfrac{kq_2}{r_2^2}(\cos\theta_2\;\hat i+\sin\theta_2\;\hat j)$$ where, from the geometry of the figure below, $ \theta_2=0^\circ$ So that, $$E_2=\dfrac{kq_2}{r_2^2}(1\;\hat i+0\;\hat j)=\dfrac{kq_2}{r_2^2} \;\hat i$$ Plugging the known; $$E_2=\dfrac{(9.0\times 10^9)(1\times 10^{-9})}{0.03^2} \;\hat i$$ $$E_2=(\color{red}{\bf 10}\;\hat i )\;\rm kN/C$$ $\bullet\bullet$ The electric field at point P from charge $q_3$ is given by $$E_3=\dfrac{kq_3}{r_3^2}(\cos\theta_3\;\hat i+\sin\theta_3\;\hat j)$$ where, from the geometry of the figure below, $\sin\theta_3=0.01/r_3$, and $\cos\theta_3=0.03/r_3$. So, $$E_3=\dfrac{kq_3}{r_3^3}(0.03\;\hat i+0.01\;\hat j)$$ and we can see that $r_3=r_1=\sqrt{0.01^2+0.03^2}$ $$E_3=\dfrac{kq_3}{(0.01^2+0.03^2)^{\frac{3}{2}}}(0.03\;\hat i+0.01\;\hat j)$$ Plugging the known; $$E_3=\dfrac{(9.0\times 10^9)(1\times 10^{-9})}{(0.01^2+0.03^2)^{\frac{3}{2}}}(0.03\;\hat i+0.01\;\hat j)$$ $$E_3=(\color{red}{\bf 8.5}\;\hat i+\color{red}{\bf 2.8}\;\hat j)\;\rm kN/C$$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ First, we need to recall that the electric field is a vector quantity like the force. It is given by $E=qF$, so it had the same principels of adding forces. Hence, it must obeys the superposition principle. So the answer is $\bf yes$, it obeys the principle of superposition. $$\color{blue}{\bf [c]}$$ We just have to add these three cector quantities and since they are in a component form, it is too easy. $$\vec E_{net}=\vec E_1+\vec E_2+\vec E_3$$ $$\vec E_{net}= 8.5 \;\hat i- 2.8 \;\hat j + 10\;\hat i+8.5 \;\hat i+ 2.8 \;\hat j$$ The net $y$-component is zero. $$\vec E_{net}=(\color{red}{\bf 27}\;\hat i)\;\rm kN/C $$
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