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Problem: Point charges of 0.27 μC and 0.71 μC are placed 0.45 m apart.a. At what point along the line between them is the electric field zero? Give your answer in m from 0.27 μC charge.b. What is the magnitude of the electric field halfway between them in N/C?

FREE Expert Solution

Electric field:

$\overline{){\mathbf{E}}{\mathbf{=}}\frac{\mathbf{k}\mathbf{q}}{{\mathbf{r}}^{\mathbf{2}}}}$

(a)

Since both the charges are positive, the electric field will be zero at a point on the line joining them.

Let's take the distance from q1 (0.27 μC) to be x

Thus, the distance from q2 where the electric field will be zero is d - x, where d is the separation between the two charges.

The electric field due to charge q1 (0.27 μC) is:

$\overline{){{\mathbf{E}}}_{{\mathbf{1}}}{\mathbf{=}}\frac{\mathbf{k}{\mathbf{q}}_{\mathbf{1}}}{{\mathbf{x}}^{\mathbf{2}}}}$

Electric field due to charge q2 (0.71 μC) at d-x is:

$\overline{){{\mathbf{E}}}_{{\mathbf{2}}}{\mathbf{=}}\frac{\mathbf{k}{\mathbf{q}}_{\mathbf{2}}}{{\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{d}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{x}\mathbf{\right)}}^{\mathbf{2}}}}$

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Problem Details

Point charges of 0.27 μC and 0.71 μC are placed 0.45 m apart.

a. At what point along the line between them is the electric field zero? Give your answer in m from 0.27 μC charge.

b. What is the magnitude of the electric field halfway between them in N/C?

What scientific concept do you need to know in order to solve this problem?

Our tutors have indicated that to solve this problem you will need to apply the Electric Field concept. You can view video lessons to learn Electric Field. Or if you need more Electric Field practice, you can also practice Electric Field practice problems.

What professor is this problem relevant for?

Based on our data, we think this problem is relevant for Professor Schmitz's class at HARPER COLLEGE.