Question

Two charged particles are attached to an x axis: Particle 1 of charge – 2 × 10^-7 is at position x = 6.0 cm and particle 2 of charge + 2 × 10^-7 is at position x = 21.0 cm. Calculate the net electric field midway between the particles​

a) 1.0×10 7 N/C
b) −1.0×10 7 N/C
c) 2.0×10 7 N/C
d) 0N/C

Answer 1

To calculate the net electric field midway between two charged particles, calculate the individual electric fields due to each particle and then add them together. The net electric field is -1.0 x 10^7 N/C.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the net electric field midway between two charged particles, we can first calculate the electric fields due to each particle individually and then add them together.

The electric field due to a point charge is given by the equation E = k * q / r^2, where k is the Coulomb's constant (9 x 10^9 N.m^2/C^2), q is the charge of the particle, and r is the distance from the particle.

For particle 1, the electric field is E1 = (9 x 10^9 N.m^2/C^2) * (-2 x 10^-7 C) / (0.06 m)^2. For particle 2, the electric field is E2 = (9 x 10^9 N.m^2/C^2) * (2 x 10^-7 C) / (0.21 m)^2.

The net electric field is the sum of E1 and E2. Calculate that and you will find that the answer is (b) -1.0 x 10^7 N/C.