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 26 - The Electric Field - Exercises and Problems - Page 775: 3

Answer

$10\;\rm kN/C$ $-11.12^\circ$

Work Step by Step

The electric field direction from charge 1 is away from them while from charge 2 is toward the charge since it is a negative charge. The upper charge exerts on the dot an electric force that is rightward and has no $ y$-component. Thus, its angle with respect to $+x$-direction is zero. $$\theta_1=\bf 0^\circ$$ The other charge exerting an electric force on the dot is at an angle $\theta_2$ counterclockwise with respect to $+x$-direction. From the geometry of the figure below, we can see that $$\theta_2=270^\circ-\phi $$ where $\phi=90^\circ-\theta$, so $$\theta_2=270^\circ-(90^\circ-\theta)=180^\circ+\theta $$ Noting that, $$\tan\theta=\dfrac{10}{5}=2 \rightarrow \theta = 63.43^\circ$$ Thus, $$\theta_2=180^\circ+63.43^\circ=\bf 243.43^\circ$$ Thus, the net electric field in $x$-direction is given by $$\sum E_x=\dfrac{kq_1}{r_1^2}\cos\theta_1 +\dfrac{kq_2}{r_2^2}\cos\theta_2$$ Noting that $q_1=q_2=q$, $$\sum E_x=kq\left[ \dfrac{\cos\theta_1 }{r_1^2}+\dfrac{\cos\theta_2}{r_2^2}\right]$$ Plugging the known, $$\sum E_x=(8.99\times 10^9)(3\times 10^{-9})\left[ \dfrac{\cos0^\circ}{0.05^2}+\dfrac{\cos 243.43^\circ }{(0.05^2+0.1^2)}\right]$$ $$\sum E_x=\bf 9823\;\rm N/C$$ By the same approach, the net electric field in $y$-direction is given by $$\sum E_y=kq\left[ \dfrac{\sin\theta_1 }{r_1^2}+\dfrac{\sin\theta_2}{r_2^2}\right]$$ $$\sum E_y=(8.99\times 10^9)(3\times 10^{-9})\left[ \dfrac{\sin0^\circ}{0.05^2}+\dfrac{\sin 243.43^\circ }{(0.05^2+0.1^2)}\right]$$ $$\sum E_y=\bf -1930\;\rm N/C$$ The net electric field is given by $$\sum E=\sqrt{\left(\sum E_x\right)^2+\left(\sum E_y\right)^2}$$ Plug from above, $$\sum E=\sqrt{\left(9823\right)^2+\left(-1930\right)^2}$$ $$\sum E=\color{red}{\bf 1.00 \times 10^4}\;\rm N/C$$ Its direction is given by $$\theta_{E}=\tan^{-1}\left[ \dfrac{\sum E_y}{\sum E_x}\right]=\tan^{-1}\left[ \dfrac{-1930}{9823}\right]$$ It is in the fourth quadrant. $$\theta_{E}=\color{red}{\bf -11.12^\circ}\tag{Below $+x$-direction}$$ clockwise from $+x$-direction.
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