Coulomb's law

mimictt

I don't really know how to solve this problem. I only know how to calculate the net force on B, not A...

here is the problem:
sphere A is located at the origin and has a charge of +2.0x10^-6 C.
Sphere B is located at +.6m on the x-axis and has a charge of -3.6x10^-6 C. Sphere C is located at +.8 m on the x-axis and has a charge of +4.0x10^-6 C. Determine the net force on sphere A.


I know how to find the net force on sphere B, since it's in the middle... but i have no idea when it comes to sphere A... would the net force on sphere A be the same as the net force on sphere C?

Thank you!

PS:im new to this forum!! :D

cupid.callin

Write forces on A, the one acting along +X axis ... take them positive and the opposite, take them negative ...

Keep in mind that like charges repel and unlike charges attract!!

mimictt

meaning that i should calculate the FC on A and FB on A
and then subtract these two forces to get a net force on A?

cupid.callin

yes
because C will push A along -X and B will attract A along +X

mimictt

THank you so much!