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posted by  pr1nc3sz- on 2/1/2008 12:30:22 AM  |  status: Closed  

HELP ELECTRIC CHARGES FORCES & FIELDS

Course Textbook Chapter Problem
Algebra Based Physics Physics (3rd) by Walker 19 40P
Question Details:

The electric field at the point x = 5.00cm and y = 0 points in the positive x direction with a magnitude of 10.0N/C. At the point x = 10.0cm and y = 0 the electric field points in the positive x direction with 15.0N/C. Assuming this electric field is produced by a single point charge, find (a) its location and (b) the sign and magnitude of its charge

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posted by Rizwan on 2/1/2008 11:05:29 AM  |  status: Live
Asker's Rating: Lifesaver   
pr1nc3sz-'s comment:
"found out how to do it when i finally got to school. haha, but thanks anyway for effort in replying and yey i got it right. =) "
Response Details:
Credit goes to original poster found it so thought shuld let u know too.
 
As the two points are on the X axis and the electric field is along positive X axis therefore the position must be on the X axis.
  let rA = x-5 from point A= (5,0)   where x is original position of the charge
and rB = x-10 from point B=(10,0)
   we know EA = 10N/C and EB = 15N/C
   Then EB/EA = 1.5
   But E directly proportional to (1/r2)
      ∴(rA/rB)2 = 1.5
      (x-5)2 /(x-10)2 =1.5
      x2+25-10x = 1.5(x2+100-20x)
      .5x2 -20x + 1252= 0 
      Then x = 32.247cm or 7.753cm
      But the direction of electric field is same at both points. therefore x = 7.753cm will not give the desired result. therefore x = 32.247cm
      Therefore the point is (32.247cm, 0)
       
      (b)
      As the charge is beyond the points and the direction is along positive X axis, therefore the direction of the electric field is towards the point charge. therefore the sign of the charge is negative.
 
   Now EB = 15N/C
           ( 8.99*109Nm2/C2)(q)/(32.247cm-10cm)2 = 15N/C
                    q = .8249*10-12C
                      
∴charge is q = -0.8249μC 
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