Total electric force on a particle in an equilatteral triangle

In summary, we have three charged particles located at the corners of an equilateral triangle - 7.00µC, 2.00µC, and -4.00µC - all 0.500 meters apart. The total electric force on the 7.00µC charge can be calculated using Coulomb's law, treating the forces as vectors and using basic trigonometry.
  • #1
poipoipoi
1
0
Three charged particles are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle. Calculate the total electric force on the 7.00µC charge.
The three charges are: 7.00µC, 2.00µC, and -4.00µC and they are all 0.500 meters apart. Here's a graphic of the layout:
http://gyazo.com/34786cc28a37e5b918db63a7e9d6f8c2.png

I know I have to use Coulomb's law but am having trouble coming up with the answer.
 
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  • #2
poipoipoi said:
I know I have to use Coulomb's law but am having trouble coming up with the answer.

Yes, use Coulomb's law to calculate the forces. Just don't forget to treat them as vectors when calculating the net force. There's some basic trigonometry involved so it shouldn't be a problem.
 

1. What is the total electric force on a particle located at the center of an equilateral triangle?

The total electric force on a particle located at the center of an equilateral triangle is zero. This is because the electric forces from the three charges at the vertices of the triangle cancel each other out due to the symmetry of the triangle.

2. How do the distances between the charges affect the total electric force on a particle in an equilateral triangle?

The distances between the charges do not affect the total electric force on a particle in an equilateral triangle. As long as the triangle remains equilateral, the total force will always be zero due to the symmetry of the charges.

3. Is the total electric force on a particle in an equilateral triangle always zero?

Yes, the total electric force on a particle in an equilateral triangle is always zero. This is a result of the symmetry of the charges and the cancellation of forces from each charge.

4. Can the total electric force on a particle in an equilateral triangle be non-zero?

No, the total electric force on a particle in an equilateral triangle cannot be non-zero. As long as the triangle remains equilateral, the forces from the charges will always cancel each other out, resulting in a total force of zero.

5. How does the direction of the charges affect the total electric force on a particle in an equilateral triangle?

The direction of the charges does not affect the total electric force on a particle in an equilateral triangle. As long as the triangle remains equilateral, the forces from the charges will always cancel each other out, resulting in a total force of zero.

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