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?
A)209 $\degree$
B)61 $\degree$
C)29 $\degree$
D)241 $\degree$
E)151 $\degree$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The direction of the electric field at the origin due to the +20-nC point charge on the x axis is to the left (negative x direction). The direction of the electric field at the origin due to the -25-nC point charge on the y axis is to the bottom (negative y direction). To find the net electric field at the origin, we need to combine these two individual electric fields using vector addition. Using the Pythagorean theorem and the tangent function, we can find that the angle between the net electric field and the negative x axis is approximately 20.9 degrees, which rounds to 21 degrees. Therefore, the answer is A) 209 degrees.

A +20-NC Point Charge Is Placed on the X Axis °\degree°

A +20-NC Point Charge Is Placed on the X Axis $\degree$