What is the correct force on q1 and the electric dipole moment?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the force on an electric charge q1 due to another charge q2, as well as determining the electric dipole moment of the system. The context includes concepts from electrostatics, specifically the interaction between point charges and the properties of electric dipoles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the formula for the force between two point charges but expresses uncertainty about their calculations. They also question their understanding of the electric dipole moment and the concept of electric flux through Gaussian surfaces.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide feedback on the original poster's calculations, with one suggesting that the work appears correct. However, there is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the original poster's results, and further clarification is sought regarding the calculations.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that they do not have numerical solutions to their questions and expresses confusion about the electric flux through the Gaussian surfaces, particularly regarding the charge enclosed in each case.

henrybrent
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Two electric charges q1 = 2 microC and q2 = -2 microC are located at \vec{r_1}=(1,0,0)m and \vec{r_2}=(0,0,-1)m respectively. Calculate the force on q1 in vector form. \vec{F_{12}} = \frac {1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\frac{q_1q_2}{|\vec{r_1}-\vec{r_2}|^3}(\vec{r_1}-\vec{r_2})

is the formula I am using.

I get an answer of (-0.013, 0, -0.013)N but I don't think this is correct and I have no idea where I messed up.

any ideas? ( I have no numerical solutions to the questions)

Calculate the electric dipole moment of this system (vector form)

I have used P = qD

q = 2x10^-6
d = (1,0,1) which I obtained from using r1-r2

So I just get the charge again multiplied by the vector

Don't think this is correct either.

Calculate the electric fluxes through two spherical Gaussian surfaces centred at the origin with radii R1=0.5m and R2=10m respectively

Now this is confusing. The first sphere doesn't enclose any charge, so q_enclosed is just 0? And the 10m sphere encloses both, but when you find the total charge enclosed, it's 2+ (-2) = 0? so again 0?

Any help appreciated
 
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All looks good to me. What makes you think it's wrong?
 
How can someone tell you where you messed up if you don't show your work?
 
\vec{F_{12}} = \frac {1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\frac{(2x10^-6)(-2x10^-6)}{\sqrt{2}^3}(1,0,1)

That is my working
 
It looks OK. So does your result.
 

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