In: Physics
1.
1). Three point charges are located along the x-axis; -2.0 nC at x = -2.0 m, +5.0 nC at x = +3.0 m, and 1.0 nC at x = 1.0 m. Calculate the net electric field for both magnitude AND direction at the origin due to these three source charges. NOTE: (+) means pointing to the right and (-) means pointing to the left in terms of the field
Electric Field of Point Charge
The electric field of a point charge can be obtained from Coulomb's Law:
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The electric field from any number of point charges can be obtained from a vector sum of the individual fields. A positive number is taken to be an outward field; the field of a negative charge is toward it.
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1. In the given problem, we will calculate the electric fields due to individual charges and then add them up to get the net electric field at the origin :
Field due to -2.0 nC =
Field due to +5.0nC =
Field due to +1.0 nC =
Thus , net electric field is :
Thus, the magnitude of net electric field is 18.5 N/C and it is pointing towards left.
2. Acceleration = Force / mass
Force = Electric field x charge
Thus, force on the proton is : -18.5 x 1.6 x 10^-19 = -2.96 x 10^-18 N
Thus, acceleration = -2.96 x 10^-18 /1.673