Coulomb's Law, finding acceleration direction

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around applying Coulomb's Law to determine the position and acceleration direction of a third charge, q3, in relation to two fixed negative charges, q1 and q2. The net force acting on q3 is zero when it is positioned at a specific point derived from the formula x = d√q1/q2 / (1 + √q1/q2). When q3 is released from a point 0.5m above q1, the forces from both charges will dictate its acceleration direction. Since both fixed charges are negative, q3 will experience a repulsive force from both, leading it to accelerate downward toward q1. The key takeaway is that the acceleration of q3 will be directed downward due to the repulsive forces from the two negative charges.
loukiz
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Homework Statement


Two charges q1 = -7 and q2 = -2, both charges are fixed in place and the distance between them is 2m. Third negative charge q3 is moving along the vertical line that connects two charges.

1) net force acting on q3 = 0; where is the charge located ?
2) If charge q3 is released 0.5m above charge q1, in which direction is it going to accelerate ?

Homework Equations


F1 - F2 = 0
x = position of q3
q1/x2 = q2/(d-x)2

The Attempt at a Solution


After solving #1 the final formula that i came up with is x = d√q1/q2 / 1 + √q1/q2

and #2 i have no clue how to solve this one...
 
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loukiz said:
released 0.5m above charge q1,
Where is q2 relative to q1? Above? Below?
 
Bystander said:
Where is q2 relative to q1? Above? Below?
q2 is above q1
 
Net force on q3 from the two fixed charges is then what?
 
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