Coulomb's Law Problem: Net Electrostatic Force on Particle 3 at 5.5 cm Distance

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The discussion focuses on calculating the net electrostatic force on particle 3, given the charges q1 = -233 nC, q2 = 233 nC, q3 = -201 nC, and q4 = 201 nC, with a distance of 5.5 cm. Key errors identified include neglecting the effects of negative charges on the forces acting on particle 3. Participants are advised to visually represent the forces with arrows and to consider the signs of the charges to determine the nature of the forces (attractive or repulsive). This approach is essential for accurately breaking down the forces into their x and y components.

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In the figure atatched, the particles have charges q1 = -q2 = 233 nC and q3 = -q4 = 201 nC, and distance a = 5.5 cm.


For the following questions, take right to be the +x direction and up to be the +y direction.

(a) What is the x component of the net electrostatic force on particle 3?

(b) What is the y component of the net electrostatic force on particle 3?

I have all of my work attached and i can't figure out where i have my error
 

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Your error is in not taking into account the negative charges, namely q2 = -233 nC and q4 = -201 nC. I suggest that you draw three arrows on particle 3, one for each force acting on that charge. Pay attention to the signs of the charges because they decide which forces are attractive and which are repulsive. Break the arrows into components after you have drawn them in the figure.
 

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