Field of Several Charges
Part of the Electricity and Magnetism section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 6 of 51.
The field of several charges is the vector sum of the fields each one makes at the point.
Draw each field, add the parts along each axis, and the size is
E = √(Eₓ² + E_y²)
Where the fields are equal and opposite, the total field is zero.
Challenge
Q₁ = +9 nC sits 0.3 m to the left of point P, and a negative charge Q₂ of size 4 nC sits 0.2 m above P. How strong is the electric field E at P?
Try it yourself
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Electricity and Magnetism
2The Electric Field
The Electric FieldField of Several ChargesThe Uniform FieldA Charge in a Uniform FieldRecap - Stopping a Proton3Energy and Potential
Electric Potential EnergyElectric PotentialField and PotentialRecap - Accelerating Ions6Current and Resistance
Current and VoltageResistance and Ohm's LawSeries and ParallelElectric PowerRecap - Fairy Lights9Capacitors in Circuits
A Capacitor in a CircuitCharging a CapacitorDischarging a CapacitorRecap - Defibrillator