Answer to Question #262998 in Physics for Usman

Question

Two points charges Q and +q (where q is positive) produce the net electric field. The field points parallel to the line connecting the two charges. What can you conclude about the sign and magnitude and Q? Explain your reasoning. If the lower charge were negative instead, would it be possible for the field to have the direction? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

The field will always be along the line connecting the two charges if their values are not the same. Different values of charges would produce a non-zero field along the connecting line (so it is collinear to the line connecting the charges).

If the second charge is negative, this is still possible no matter what magnitude the charges with different signs have.