A +20-nC point charge is placed on the x axis at x = 2.0 m, and a –25-nC point charge is placed on the y axis at y = –3.0 m. What is the direction of the electric field at the origin?

Explanation:

Formula for the field at the origin due to the point charge at x-axis is represented as follows.

Putting the given values into the above formula as follows.

              =

              = 44.981 N/C

This field is towards negative x-axis as field from positive charge are in a direction outwards from them. Hence, expression for this electric field will be written as follows.

                    =

Now, field present due to the charge present at negative y-axis field at the origin is as follows.

                =

                = 24.989 N

From negative charge, the field towards negative y-axis is as follows.

                 =

Now, the net field at the origin is as follows.

               =

Hence, the direction of net field is w.r.t to x-axis is as follows.

                     =

                     = w.r.t negative x-axis

Therefore, we can conclude that the direction of the electric field at the origin is negative x-axis.

gas and liquid