Two fixed point charges lie on the -axis in otherwise empty space: at and at

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Electricity, Magnetism & Electromagnetism · Electrostatic fields and potential · Electrostatic fields and potential

Electricity, Magnetism and Electromagnetism, Ch Electric charge, Coulomb's law and the electric field

Problem

Two fixed point charges lie on the

x

-axis in otherwise empty space:

q_1 = +8.0\,\mathrm{nC}

x = 0

and

q_2 = -2.0\,\mathrm{nC}

x = 5.0\,\mathrm{cm}

. A student says: "

q_1

is four times bigger, so it pushes and pulls four times harder than

q_2

does." ((a)) Find the magnitude of the electric field produced by

q_1

at the place where

q_2

sits, and the magnitude of the field produced by

q_2

at the place where

q_1

sits. ((b)) Find the magnitude of the force on

q_2

and the magnitude of the force on

q_1

, and state the direction of each in words. ((c)) Say in one sentence which of the two ratios in parts (a) and (b) is

4

and which is

1

, and hence what is wrong with this claim.

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