Coulomb's Law in Two Dimensions

[hsadiq98]

Homework Statement

Three charges, q1, q2, and q3, lie in a plane, as shown below. Find the net force on charge q2 (please refer to attachment for diagram)

Homework Equations

F= k x q1q2/R^2, knowledge of trig functions and separating x and y components

The Attempt at a Solution

So I found the hypotenuse for the triangle but how do I find the other variables? There aren't any examples in my book to deal with these type pf questions. Any explanations would greatly help me understand the concept and how to solve these type of questions as I am sure they'll show up in my final. Thank you.

 

[Chestermiller]

Do you know how to resolve a vector into x and y components?

 

[hsadiq98]

Do you know how to resolve a vector into x and y components?

A little bit, yes

 

[anlon]

Use the principle of superposition. Also, review how to resolve vectors into components, since you will be using it a lot in the study of electrostatics and other areas of physics.

 

[Chestermiller]

A little bit, yes

So if you knew the magnitude of the force of q1 acting on q2 and the angle that this force makes with the x axis, you could determine the x and y components of this force, correct?