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A + 9.12 nC point charge and a - 2.78 nC point charge are 4.99 cm apart. What is the electric field strength at the midpoint between the two charges?

User ZOXEXIVO
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1 Answer

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Let's name the variables we know and those we need:

q1: first charge; q1 = 9.12*10^-9 C

q2: second charge; q2 = -2.78*10^-9 C

r: distance between midpoint and the charges; r = 0.0499/2 = 0.02495 m

k: Coulomb's constant; k = 8.99*10^9

B1: field strength caused by first charge

B2: field strength caused by second

B1 = k|q1|/r^2 = 8.99*10^9*9.12*10^-9/0.02495^2

B1 = 131708.387 N/C

B2 = k|q2|/r^2 = 8.99*10^9*2.78*10^-9/0.02495^2

B2 = 40147.951 N/C

B = B1+B2 = 131708.387+40147.951 = 171856.338 N/C = 1.71856*10^5 N/C

User Julius
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