Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 22 - Electric Fields - Problems - Page 653: 4

Answer

$E = (-6.39\times 10^5~N/C)~\hat{i}$

Work Step by Step

Note that the midway point between the particles is at the point $x = 13.5~cm$ We can find the magnitude of the electric field at the midpoint due to particle 1: $E = \frac{\vert q \vert}{4\pi~\epsilon_0~r^2}$ $E = \frac{(2.00\times 10^{-7}~C)}{(4\pi)(8.854\times 10^{-12}~C^2/N~m^2)~(0.075~m)^2}$ $E = 3.1956\times 10^5~N/C$ Since particle 1 has a negative charge, the electric field at the midpoint due to particle 1 points toward particle 1 in the negative x direction. We can express this electric field in unit-vector notation: $E_1 = (-3.1956\times 10^5~N/C)~\hat{i}$ We can find the magnitude of the electric field at the midpoint due to particle 2: $E = \frac{\vert q \vert}{4\pi~\epsilon_0~r^2}$ $E = \frac{(2.00\times 10^{-7}~C)}{(4\pi)(8.854\times 10^{-12}~C^2/N~m^2)~(0.075~m)^2}$ $E = 3.1956\times 10^5~N/C$ Since particle 2 has a positive charge, the electric field at the midpoint due to particle 2 points away from particle 2 in the negative x direction. We can express this electric field in unit-vector notation: $E_2 = (-3.1956\times 10^5~N/C)~\hat{i}$ We can find the net electric field: $E = E_1+E_2$ $E = (-3.1956\times 10^5~N/C)~\hat{i}+(-3.1956\times 10^5~N/C)~\hat{i}$ $E = (-6.39\times 10^5~N/C)~\hat{i}$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.