In: Physics
A 5.1 μC point charge is on the x-axis at 3.4 m, and a 4.2 μC point charge is on the x-axis at 4.4 m. Find the magnitude of the net electric field at the point on the y-axis where y = 2.2 m . The value of the Coulomb constant is 8.98755×10 N·m /C . Answer in units of N/C. Determine the direction of this electric field (as an angle between −180◦ and 180◦ mea- sured from the positive x-axis, with counter- clockwise positive.) Answer in units of ◦.
The situation can be visualized by
From the diagram
The electric fields are given by
and
The net electric field is therefore
The magnitude of the electric field is
The direction of the electric field is in the second quadrant. So, the angle can be calculated using
So, the direction of the electric field is 149.36o measured from positive x-axis.