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 - Questions - Page 651: 3d

Answer

The x components of these two electric field vectors cancel.

Work Step by Step

We can find write the general equation for the magnitude of an electric field: $E = \frac{\vert q \vert}{4\pi ~\epsilon_0~r^2}$ Note that a magnetic field points toward a negative charge. Since each charge is $-q$, which is a negative charge, each electric field is directed toward the charge producing it. The x component of the electric field due to the $-q$ charge on the left points in the negative x direction. The x component of the electric field due to the $-q$ charge on the right points in the positive x direction. Since these two x components have the same magnitude but point in opposite directions, they cancel out. Therefore, the x components of these two electric field vectors cancel.
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