Calculating Forces in a Square Arrangement of Point Charges

AI Thread Summary
To solve the problem of calculating forces in a square arrangement of point charges, the key is to apply Coulomb's law, F=k q1*q2/r^2, for each pair of charges. The forces must be analyzed vectorially, considering both magnitude and direction, with attention to the attraction or repulsion based on the charges' signs. For diagonal interactions, the distance "r" can be determined using the Pythagorean theorem, which alters the force calculation. It's crucial to correctly assign vector directions based on the nature of the charges, as like charges repel and opposite charges attract. Properly summing these forces will yield the resultant force at each corner of the square.
dmart1990
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I've been working on this problem for a while but i am getting confused on vector directions.

Four point charges are arranged in a square with sides of 0.38m. Find the magnitude and direction of the force at each corner of the square.


Point 1=3nC Point 2= 19nC


Point 3= -6nC Point 4= -17nC

(this is what the square looks like)



I've been setting up the forces at each point using F=k q1*q2/ r^2 but I am not sure i have the arrows in the right directions and how to calculate the force coming in from the diagonal!

PLEASE HELP!
 
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force on the diagonal the only thing that changes is ur "r" value, use pythagorus to find "r" in terms of directions, opposites repel, likes attract, and direction would be from the charge point of view
 

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