Two charges +q and -q are placed at a distance d apart. What is the electric field at the midpoint between the charges?

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Q: Two charges +q and -q are placed at a distance d apart. What is the electric field at the midpoint between the charges?

Solution: The electric fields due to both charges at the midpoint cancel each other, resulting in a net electric field of 0.

Steps: 8

Step 1: Identify the two charges: one is +q (positive charge) and the other is -q (negative charge).
Step 2: Determine the distance between the two charges, which is given as d.
Step 3: Find the midpoint between the two charges. This is the point that is equidistant from both charges.
Step 4: Calculate the electric field created by the positive charge (+q) at the midpoint. The electric field points away from the positive charge.
Step 5: Calculate the electric field created by the negative charge (-q) at the midpoint. The electric field points towards the negative charge.
Step 6: Since the midpoint is equidistant from both charges, the magnitudes of the electric fields from both charges at this point are equal.
Step 7: The electric field from +q and the electric field from -q are in opposite directions, so they cancel each other out.
Step 8: Conclude that the net electric field at the midpoint between the two charges is 0.