Question 1.1 [2 marks]

Three point charges, q1
, q2 and q3 are placed in a straight line, as shown in Figure
1 below. Point charge q3
is positive while q1 and q2 are negatively charged. A
point charge X is placed as described in the diagram below.
Figure 1: Three charges in a straight line.
Which ONE of the following vector diagrams best explains the net electric field
strength E at point X?
5

1 answer

To determine the net electric field strength \( E \) at point \( X \) caused by the three point charges \( q_1 \), \( q_2 \), and \( q_3 \), we need to analyze the contributions of each charge to the electric field at that point.

  1. Charge \( q_1 \) and charge \( q_2 \) are negatively charged. The electric field due to a negative charge points towards the charge. Therefore, the electric field \( E_1 \) due to \( q_1 \) at point \( X \) will point towards \( q_1 \), and the electric field \( E_2 \) due to \( q_2 \) will point towards \( q_2 \).

  2. Charge \( q_3 \) is positively charged. The electric field due to a positive charge points away from the charge. Thus, the electric field \( E_3 \) due to \( q_3 \) at point \( X \) will point away from \( q_3 \).

To summarize:

  • The vectors \( E_1 \) and \( E_2 \) will point towards \( q_1 \) and \( q_2 \), respectively.
  • The vector \( E_3 \) will point away from \( q_3 \).

The net electric field \( E \) at point \( X \) will be the vector sum of \( E_1 \), \( E_2 \), and \( E_3 \) according to their directions.

Without the options for the vector diagrams, the correct choice would be the one that depicts:

  • Vectors \( E_1 \) and \( E_2 \) pointing towards \( q_1 \) and \( q_2 \) (indicating attraction),
  • Vector \( E_3 \) pointing away from \( q_3 \) (indicating repulsion).

The net electric field, taking into account the magnitudes and directions of these vectors, should reflect the resultant direction of the combined effects of these three charges at point \( X \).

So, look for a vector diagram that shows:

  • Arrows pointing in the direction towards \( q_1 \) and \( q_2 \) along with an arrow pointing away from \( q_3 \).
  • The lengths of the arrows representing their relative magnitudes, where the stronger field will have a longer arrow.

If you can provide the vector diagrams, I can help you identify the best representation!