Question

A negative charge is at rest at the origin of an axis system. Location x is at coordinate point (2m,3m) while location y is at (-3m,-2m). At which location will the E-field have the greatest magnitude?

Answer 1

The magnitude of the E-field decreases as the square of the distance from the charge, just like gravity.

Location ' x ' is √(2² + 3²) = √13 m from the charge.

Location ' y ' is √ [ (-3)² + (-2)² ] = √13 m from the charge.

The magnitude of the E-field is the same at both locations.

The direction is also the same at both locations ... it points toward the origin.