Calculating Force (magnitude and direction) on a proton

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the force (magnitude and direction) acting on a proton due to an electron and an alpha particle, with a focus on vector addition and Coulomb's law.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of forces between charged particles, including the determination of force components and angles. There are questions about the accuracy of the angle derived and the labeling of forces in the diagram.

Discussion Status

Some participants are attempting to verify their calculations and are seeking clarification on the components of the forces involved. There is an acknowledgment of potential errors in the calculations, and suggestions to review the diagram for better understanding.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of accurately labeling the diagram and ensuring that the calculations reflect the correct relationships between the forces and their components.

Obama
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Homework Statement


Diagram shows the separations of a proton, electron, and α particle (charge +2e). What is the force (magnitude and direction) on the proton?


Homework Equations


Addition of vectors, Coulomb's law


The Attempt at a Solution



I keep getting 82 degrees but the answer is 68 degrees below the x axis
 

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Obama said:

Homework Statement


Diagram shows the separations of a proton, electron, and α particle (charge +2e). What is the force (magnitude and direction) on the proton?


Homework Equations


Addition of vectors, Coulomb's law


The Attempt at a Solution



I keep getting 82 degrees but the answer is 68 degrees below the x axis

It would help if you labelled each of the particles on the diagram, but I suppose we can work out what each of them must be from your desired result :smile:

If you show your work, perhaps we can see where the its going wrong.
 
Sorry about that! Was basing it off memory lol.

okay so i found the force between the charge of positive 2 and the proton to be 2.1e-8 N, and i found the other force to be 3.5e-8 N. then i found the x and y components of the forces, and that was 3.4e-8 and 7e-9, respectively. i then added this to the x component of the first force (since there was so y) and found the angle that they create to be 82 degrees, which is incorrect
 
Obama said:
Sorry about that! Was basing it off memory lol.

okay so i found the force between the charge of positive 2 and the proton to be 2.1e-8 N, and i found the other force to be 3.5e-8 N. then i found the x and y components of the forces, and that was 3.4e-8 and 7e-9, respectively. i then added this to the x component of the first force (since there was so y) and found the angle that they create to be 82 degrees, which is incorrect

How did you calculate the x and y components of the second force? It looks like you've interchanged them. Take a look at your diagram; you should be able to estimate the relative sizes of the x and y components of a given force.
 

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