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

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The discussion centers on calculating the net electrostatic force on particle 3, given specific charges and distances. The charges involved are q1 = -q2 = 233 nC and q3 = -q4 = 201 nC, with a distance of 5.5 cm. Participants emphasize the importance of considering the negative charges, which influence the direction of the forces as attractive or repulsive. A suggestion is made to visually represent the forces acting on particle 3 with arrows and to break them into components for accurate calculations. Understanding the signs of the charges is crucial for determining the correct net force 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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