Final answer:
The principle of superposition allows us to find that the vertical components of electric fields produced by two charges at a point P add together, and the horizontal components cancel out. The electric force is calculated using the equation F = qE, and in conductors, charges move until the electric field is perpendicular to the surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vertical component of the electric field produced by two charges at a point P can be determined using the principle of superposition. This principle states that the total field at point P, E(P), is the vector sum of the fields from each of the two charges, denoted as E₁ and E₂. Notably, the horizontal components from each of the two charges cancel each other out, so only their vertical components will contribute to the electric field at point P.
Furthermore, when considering the electric force acting on a charge q in an electric field E, the relation F = qE is used to calculate the magnitude of the force. Considering this within a conductor, free charges will rearrange until the electric field is perpendicular to the surface, signifying electrostatic equilibrium. This concept is crucial for understanding the behavior of electric fields in various circumstances, especially within conductive materials.