Coulombs Law with vectors question help, test tomorrow.

In summary, the problem involves three charges, A, B, and C, positioned in a right triangle with the right angle at B. Charge A is located 0.10m left of charge B, while charge C is 0.075m below charge B. The net electrostatic charge on C can be found by using the equation Fe=kq1q2/r^2, where r is the distance between the two charges. After calculating the forces between B and C and between A and C, the x and y components of the force between A and C are calculated using trigonometry. The final answer is 16.8N 12.6 degrees W of S.
  • #1
skg94
79
0
1. Homework Statement [/b]

1. Charge A (-2uC) is 0.10m left of charge B (+3uC), with charge C (+4uC), 0.075m below charge B, forming a right angle triangle with the right angle at B. Find the net electrostatic charge on C

if its confusing the 0.10 is the opposite of the hypotenuse with the 0.075m being the adjacent.

i don't how to draw a damn triangle i can't do it with just normal symbols but if oyu don't understand the triangle i will try to explain it further

Homework Equations


Fe=kq1q2/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution


Fe(b on c) = (8.99*10^9)(3*10^-6)(4*10^-6)/ .075^2 = 19.17866666..

Fe (a on c) = first i found the hypotenuse, (.1^2+.075^2) = .015625m

then found Fe, K * ( 4*10^-6) (2*10^-6)/.015625^2 = 294.58432

I found the angle at C, by using pythagoras, tan-1(0.10/.075) = 53.13010235, then found the angle to use to find the x and y component of Fe (a on c) by subtracintg 53.. from 90, which is 36.86089765..

Fe (aonc x) = 294... * cos36... = 235.667456
Fe (aonc y) = 294... * sin 36... = 176.750592

then [itex]\sqrt{235..^2 + 176...^2}[/itex] which equals back to 294.58432.

I may have done the whole Fe ( a on c) wrong, if i did i don't know where.

The answer is 16.8N 12.6 degrees W of S
 
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  • #2
skg94 said:
1. Homework Statement [/b]

1. Charge A (-2uC) is 0.10m left of charge B (+3uC), with charge C (+4uC), 0.075m below charge B, forming a right angle triangle with the right angle at B. Find the net electrostatic charge on C

if its confusing the 0.10 is the opposite of the hypotenuse with the 0.075m being the adjacent.

i don't how to draw a damn triangle i can't do it with just normal symbols but if oyu don't understand the triangle i will try to explain it further

Homework Equations


Fe=kq1q2/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution


Fe(b on c) = (8.99*10^9)(3*10^-6)(4*10^-6)/ .075^2 = 19.17866666..

Fe (a on c) = first i found the hypotenuse, (.1^2+.075^2) = .015625m^2

then found Fe, K * ( 4*10^-6) (2*10^-6)/.015625^2 = 294.58432

I found the angle at C, by using pythagoras, tan-1(0.10/.075) = 53.13010235, then found the angle to use to find the x and y component of Fe (a on c) by subtracintg 53.. from 90, which is 36.86089765..

Fe (aonc x) = 294... * cos36... = 235.667456
Fe (aonc y) = 294... * sin 36... = 176.750592

then [itex]\sqrt{235..^2 + 176...^2}[/itex] which equals back to 294.58432.

I may have done the whole Fe ( a on c) wrong, if i did i don't know where.

The answer is 16.8N 12.6 degrees W of S

You made a mistake when calculating the hypotenuse: .015625 is the square of of the hypotenuse, you do not need to square again in the equation for the force. .

ehild
 

1. What is Coulomb's Law?

Coulomb's Law is a fundamental law of physics that describes the electrostatic interaction between electrically charged particles. It states that the force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

2. How is Coulomb's Law related to vectors?

Coulomb's Law involves both magnitude and direction, which are characteristics of vectors. The direction of the force is along the line connecting the two charges and its magnitude is dependent on the direction of the charges. Therefore, Coulomb's Law can be represented using vector notation to show the direction of the force.

3. What are the SI units for Coulomb's Law?

The SI unit for charge is Coulomb (C) and the SI unit for distance is meters (m). Therefore, the SI unit for the constant of proportionality in Coulomb's Law is N·m2/C2.

4. Can Coulomb's Law be used to calculate the force between non-point charges?

Yes, Coulomb's Law can be used to calculate the force between non-point charges as long as the size of the charges is small compared to the distance between them. In these cases, the charges can be treated as point charges and the law can be applied.

5. How is Coulomb's Law used in practical applications?

Coulomb's Law is used in many practical applications, such as in the design of electronic devices, the development of new materials, and the study of atomic and molecular structures. It is also used in fields like electromagnetism, telecommunications, and engineering to understand and predict the behavior of electrically charged particles.

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