Question

A 2 nC point charge is at the origin, and a second 5 nC point charge is on the x-axis at x = 8 m. Find the electric field (magnitude and direction) at the point x = 2 m.

Answer 1

Ans.

the electric field at a point P (having position vector ) due to a point charge (located at position ) is given by.

hence electric field at point P (at x=2 m) due to the point charge q₁= 2 nC (located at origin x=0 m). is

where i is the unit vector along x-axis.

Electric field at point P at x=2 m due to second point charge q= 5 nC .(located at x= 8 m)

hence total electric field(E) at point P is given by

E=E₁ + E₂

now put value of

.

hence the direction of electric field is along positive x-axis.

and magnitude is given by.

.