Two charges, Q1 and Q2 , fixed along the x-axis as shown, produce an electric fi

Question

Two charges, Q1 and Q2 , fixed along the x-axis as shown, produce an electric field E at a point (x,y) = (0,d) which is directed along the negative y-axis. Which of the following statements is true?

The answer to this question is supposed to be I

However, I thought positive charges create an electric field in the direction away from them. Why is this electric field pointing in the direction of the positive charges?

V. Two charges, Q1 and Q2, fixed along the x-axis as shown, produce an electric field E at a point (x,y)-(0,d) which is directed along the negative y-axis. Which of the following statements is true? i. Both charges Q1 and Q2 must be positive. ii. Both charges Q1 and Q2 must be negative. iii. The charges Q1 and Q2 must have opposite signs.

Explanation / Answer

Since the Direction of the Electric Field is along the Negative y-axis, this means that the Resultant of the Forces due to each of the Charges is along the y-axis. Like Charges Repel and Unlike charges attract each other. This is Possible only when One of the Charge attracts the Charge placed at (0,d) and the other charge repels.Because, the Forces must have their Horizontal Components cancelled out against each other, hence, must be in the opposite direction. Hence, This is possible only when both Q1 and Q2 are of opposite signs.

Hence, the answer must be iii)both Q1 and Q2 must have opposite signs.

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