Electricity: Static Electricity
Static Electricity: Audio Guided Solution
Problem 30:
Four positive charges are positioned in such a manner than they form a square with sides which are 5.0 cm long. A 3.0 μC charge is placed at the (0 cm, 0 cm) mark. A 9.0 μC charge is placed at the (0 cm, 5 cm) mark, a 3 μC charge is placed at the (5 cm, 5 cm) mark, and a 6.0 μC charge is placed at the (5 cm, 0cm) mark. Determine the magnitude and direction of the electric field at the exact center of the square.
Audio Guided Solution
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magnitude: 2.2x107 N/C
direction: directed away from Q2 and towards Q4 (OR 45° below horizontal right OR 315°)
direction: directed away from Q2 and towards Q4 (OR 45° below horizontal right OR 315°)
Habits of an Effective Problem Solver
- Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
- Identify the known and unknown quantities; record them in an organized manner. A diagram is a great place to record such information. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., Q1 = 2.4 μC; Q2 = 3.8 μC; d = 1.8 m; Felect = ???.
- Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
- Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
- Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.
Read About It!
Get more information on the topic of Static Electricity at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.
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