Assistance Needed For Rearranging Equations

[asad1]

Im currently studying A2 physics and I am doing potentials and electric fields etc. I've learned about Coulombs Law etc. and I am having difficulty rearranging the formulae.
For example take Coulombs Law. I had to rearrange it for Q2 and I spent ages just trying to rearrange it as I don't know how to do it properly. I used to just use the triangle or learn the expressions.

Could someone explain me how to arrange coulombs law for q2 or for R.

Thank You
Much appreciated.

 

[dave_baksh]

It's a sad indication of high school standards when an A2 student can't rearrange a simple equation. I've always been against the triangle method as it allows students to rearrange equations without understanding what's going on. I'm not blaming you - it's the failing of teachers and an increasingly skills based curriculum that reduces the time spent dealing with the maths of physics.

Anyway, to answer your question take a look at this youtube video -

That gives all the basics of rearranging equations and there are many more to be found.

 

[sir-pinski]

Hello, thank you for reaching out for assistance with rearranging equations in your A2 physics studies. Rearranging equations can be a challenging task, but with practice and understanding of the concepts, you will become more comfortable with it.

For Coulomb's Law, the formula is F = k(Q1*Q2)/R^2, where F is the force, k is a constant, Q1 and Q2 are the charges, and R is the distance between the charges. To rearrange for Q2, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by multiplying both sides of the equation by R^2 to get rid of the denominator, which will give you FR^2 = k(Q1*Q2).

2. Then, divide both sides by k to isolate the Q1*Q2 term, giving you FR^2/k = Q1*Q2.

3. Finally, to solve for Q2, divide both sides by Q1, which will give you Q2 = FR^2/kQ1.

Remember to always perform the same operation on both sides of the equation to keep it balanced.

Similarly, if you need to rearrange for R, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by multiplying both sides by R^2 to get rid of the denominator, which will give you FR^2 = k(Q1*Q2).

2. Then, divide both sides by F to isolate the R^2 term, giving you R^2 = k(Q1*Q2)/F.

3. Finally, to solve for R, take the square root of both sides, which will give you R = √(k(Q1*Q2)/F).

Remember to always check your units when rearranging equations, as they need to be consistent on both sides of the equation.

I hope this helps you understand how to rearrange equations for Coulomb's Law. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask. Keep practicing and you will become more confident in rearranging equations. Good luck with your studies!