Charges on a square - find forces

AI Thread Summary
A charge of 6 mC is placed at each corner of a square with 0.1 m sides, and the task is to determine the magnitude and direction of the forces acting on the charges. The user calculated the forces between specific corners, obtaining values of 32.4 N and 16.2 N, and combined them to find a total force magnitude of 62.02 N. However, they are unsure how to determine the direction of the resultant force. Guidance is sought on vector addition to find the resultant direction, as all forces are repelling. Understanding vector components and their resultant is essential for solving this problem accurately.
moondawg
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Homework Statement


A charge of 6 mC is placed at each corner of a square .1 m on each side. Determine the magnitude and driection of the force.




Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


so i found the force between corner 1 and 2 then 1 and 3 to = 32.4N and the force between corner 1 and 4( the corner diagonal to the top left corner) to be 16.2. Then i set up my vectors and found an imaginary hypotenuse and added it to the 16.2 to get 62.02 as my final answer. I'm pretty sure i did it correctly but i only found the magnitude how do i find the direction? I have not a clue. HELP!? pleasezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
 
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moondawg said:

Homework Statement


A charge of 6 mC is placed at each corner of a square .1 m on each side. Determine the magnitude and direction of the force.

I have not a clue. HELP!? pleasezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Find the force exerted upon what object?

Are there any coordinate axes?
 


moondawg said:

Homework Statement


A charge of 6 mC is placed at each corner of a square .1 m on each side. Determine the magnitude and driection of the force.

Is that mC a milliCoulomb or a microCoulomb?

The Attempt at a Solution


so i found the force between corner 1 and 2 then 1 and 3 to = 32.4N and the force between corner 1 and 4( the corner diagonal to the top left corner) to be 16.2. Then i set up my vectors and found an imaginary hypotenuse and added it to the 16.2 to get 62.02 as my final answer. I'm pretty sure i did it correctly but i only found the magnitude how do i find the direction? I have not a clue. HELP!? pleasezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

What are the units of your answer?

Take a look at each of the individual forces that you calculated. They have magnitude and direction. That suggests vectors. How do you add vectors to fins a resultant?
 


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