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 657: 64

Answer

$E = \frac{Q}{3\pi \epsilon_0~d^2}$

Work Step by Step

Suppose the points $A, B,$ and $C$ form an equilateral triangle. We can consider the electric field at the midpoint of $B$ and $C$ The electric fields due to $B$ and $C$ have the same magnitude and point in opposite directions. Therefore, they cancel with each other. The net electric field at the midpoint will be the electric field due to point $A$ We can find the distance $r$ between $A$ and the midpoint: $r = \sqrt{d^2-(\frac{d}{2})^2}$ $r = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}~d$ We can find the magnitude of the electric field: $E = \frac{Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0~r^2}$ $E = \frac{Q}{4\pi \epsilon_0~(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}~d)^2}$ $E = \frac{Q}{3\pi \epsilon_0~d^2}$
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