Calculating force on the charges placed in the corners of a triangle

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the forces acting on three charges placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle with sides of 1 meter. The charges are defined as e1, e2 = −2e1, and e3 = 3e1, where e1 is specified as 10^-6 As.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to calculate the forces between the charges using Coulomb's law and are discussing the correctness of their calculations. There are questions about specific values derived from trigonometric functions and the overall approach to summing forces.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered corrections to calculations, while others are exploring different methods for determining the forces. There is an ongoing examination of the calculations for the forces acting on the first charge, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of typos and potential misunderstandings regarding the application of trigonometric functions in the calculations. Participants are also clarifying the direction of forces based on the nature of the charges involved.

mmoadi
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Homework Statement



We place three charges in the corners of the equilateral triangle; the size of the sides is 1 m. Charges are of sizes: e1, e2 = −2e1, and e3 = 3e1, where e1 = 10 ^-6 As. What is the force on the first (second, third) charge and in which direction are they showing?

http://item.slide.com/r/1/20/i/uNrFtWB4tT_sS7zkuV1ExJS_gf3980kJ/
http://item.slide.com/r/1/130/i/1G12EjLq5D8Lo4lU8yYKxmOQfVTQfoSl/
http://item.slide.com/r/1/142/i/dpHAZtcg7j-o-U_uDNFiH60YH-Do8Dwr/

Homework Equations



F= k[q(1)q(2)/ d²]

The Attempt at a Solution



Calculating for e(1):

d= 1 m

F(1,2)= k[q(1)q(2)/ d²] → F(1,2)= 1.8 N

F(1,2-y)= -F(1,2) sin 60º= - 1.56 N
F(1,2-x)= -F(1,2) cos 60º= - 0.4 N

F(1,3)= k[q(1)q(3)/ d²] → F(1,3)= 2.7 N

F(1,3-y)= f(1,3) sin 60º= 2.34 N
F(1,3-x)= -F(1,3) cos 60º= - 1.35 N

F(1-x)= -2.25 N
F(1-y)= F(1,2-y) + F(1,3-y)= 0.78 N

F(1)= sqrt[F(1-x)² + F(1-y)²]= 2.39 N

Are my calculations for e(1) correct?
Thank you for helping!
 
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Have't looked at them all but cos 60=0.5 so not sure where F(1,2-x) came from.
 
mmoadi said:

Homework Statement




F(1,2-x)= -F(1,2) cos 60º= - 0.4 N



My mistake, it was a typo. here is the correct calculation as I made it:

F(1,2-x)= -F(1,2) cos 60º= - 0.9 N

Now are my calculations correct for e(1)?
Thank you for helping!
 
My results are different:

Here is how I did force of particle 2 on 1: k= 9.0 E9

total force (2 on 1) = K (1E-6)(2E-6)/1m^2=18 E-3. Since this is attractive force, it is directed upward and rightward.

Fx = F(2-1) cos 60= 9 E-3N
Fy = F(2-1) sin 60 = 0.87 * 18E-3= 15.6 E-3

Do the same for 3 on 1, and then add x components, then Y components and use Pythags formula for total. Direction can be found using tan(angle)=sum y/ sum x
 
Thank you for helping, I think I understand now :smile:
 

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