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184_notes:examples:week2_electric_field_negative_point [2018/05/17 16:35] – curdemma | 184_notes:examples:week2_electric_field_negative_point [2021/05/19 15:11] (current) – schram45 | ||
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===Representations=== | ===Representations=== | ||
- | {{ 184_notes: | + | [{{ 184_notes: |
+ | |||
+ | <WRAP TIP> | ||
+ | ===Assumptions=== | ||
+ | * Constant charge: Makes charge in electric field equation not dependent on time or space as no information is given in problem suggesting so. | ||
+ | * Charge is not moving: This makes our separation vector fixed in time as a moving charge would have a changing separation vector with time. | ||
+ | </ | ||
===Goal=== | ===Goal=== | ||
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This leaves us to find the unit vector ˆr. The first thing to do would be to draw in the separation vector, →r−Q→P. This vector points from the charge −Q to Point P since P is where we want to find the electric field (our observation location). We need to define a set of coordinate axes. We could pick the normal x- and y-axes, but this would make writing the →r and ˆr more difficult because there would be both x- and y-components to the separation vector (since it points in some diagonal direction). | This leaves us to find the unit vector ˆr. The first thing to do would be to draw in the separation vector, →r−Q→P. This vector points from the charge −Q to Point P since P is where we want to find the electric field (our observation location). We need to define a set of coordinate axes. We could pick the normal x- and y-axes, but this would make writing the →r and ˆr more difficult because there would be both x- and y-components to the separation vector (since it points in some diagonal direction). | ||
- | {{ 184_notes: | + | [{{ 184_notes: |
Instead, we'll pick a coordinate direction that falls along the same axis as the separation vector, →r−Q→P. Since this is a coordinate direction that we're naming, let's call this the ˆs direction. That means that →r−Q→P points in the ˆs direction, so ˆr=ˆs. Plugging this into our electric field equation gives: | Instead, we'll pick a coordinate direction that falls along the same axis as the separation vector, →r−Q→P. Since this is a coordinate direction that we're naming, let's call this the ˆs direction. That means that →r−Q→P points in the ˆs direction, so ˆr=ˆs. Plugging this into our electric field equation gives: | ||
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This gives the magnitude of the electric field as |→E|=14πϵ0QR2 | This gives the magnitude of the electric field as |→E|=14πϵ0QR2 | ||
with the direction is given by −ˆs. The electric field at P therefore points from P to the point charge. You'll find this to be true for all negative charge - **the electric field points towards negative charges**. A diagram indicating the direction of the electric field is shown below. | with the direction is given by −ˆs. The electric field at P therefore points from P to the point charge. You'll find this to be true for all negative charge - **the electric field points towards negative charges**. A diagram indicating the direction of the electric field is shown below. | ||
- | {{ 184_notes: | + | [{{ 184_notes: |