Electric Field

[vivatix]

---

Members don't see this ad.

What is the electric field at midway between two negative charges?

I know it is supposed to be 0. I am mathematically trying to figure it out using the equations but I am confused.

Etotal = E1 + E2
= kq1/r2 + kq2/r2
Lets say the distance between the two charges is 1 meter
So, midway point is 0.5 m

= (((9x10^9)(-1.6x10^-19))/(0.5)^2) + (9x10^9)(-1.6x10^-19))/(0.5)^2))
= -1.1 x 10^-8

Can someone show me using the equations how to solve this?

Thanks

 

[Cawolf]

You need to consider that an electric field is a vector quantity, so it has direction.

So if E1 is pointing left it is a negative value and if E2 is pointing right it is a positive value. These would cancel out.

Do the math just as you did, but using a negative vector for one of them.