Coulombs Law solving for electrostatics force

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the resultant electrostatic force on a charged sphere with a charge of +6.0 µC, which is influenced by two other charged spheres: a -3.0 µC sphere and a +1.5 µC sphere, located at specified distances. The context is electrostatics, specifically applying Coulomb's Law.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to calculate the electric fields produced by each of the other spheres and how to combine these fields vectorially to find the resultant force. Some participants express confusion about the original poster's calculations and seek clarification on their approach.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exchange where participants are attempting to clarify the steps taken by the original poster. Hints have been provided regarding the calculation of electric fields and the importance of vector addition. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of considering the direction of forces as vectors and the necessity of calculating forces from both spheres acting on the +6.0 µC sphere. There is an emphasis on ensuring that all values are correctly converted to standard units.

alan1592
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Homework Statement



A small spehere with charge of +6.0uc is located near two other small charged spheres. A -3.0uc sphere is located 4.00 cm to the right and a +1.5uc sphere is located 3.00 cm to the left. Determine the resultant electrostatics force on the 6.0uc sphere.

Correct answer is 190N

Homework Equations



1C=1x10^6uc F=KQ1Q2/D62

The Attempt at a Solution


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where is your attempt ?..

anyway, I`ll give a hint: try to find out the electric field produced from the sphere located to the right on a point located 4cm to the left of it, then find the electric field from the sphere located to the left on a point located 3cm to the right of it .. then (along with the fact that electric field is a vector) find the resulant electric field at that point , and make use of the relation F = q*E ..
 
thebigstar25 said:
where is your attempt ?..

anyway, I`ll give a hint: try to find out the electric field produced from the sphere located to the right on a point located 4cm to the left of it, then find the electric field from the sphere located to the left on a point located 3cm to the right of it .. then (along with the fact that electric field is a vector) find the resulant electric field at that point , and make use of the relation F = q*E ..
My attempt is in the picture. I converted everything and then used the equation F=KQQ/D^2 and stuff but idk what to do after that.
 
i can not follow what you did in the attachment (forgive my poor eyes) .. Can you please write what you have done so I can help..
 
thebigstar25 said:
i can not follow what you did in the attachment (forgive my poor eyes) .. Can you please write what you have done so I can help..

Sure I can do that. First i converted the givens to coulombs then the two outside spheres i got there information and then plugged them into the formula F=kq1q2/D2 for both sides but still i got the wrong answer
 
the question is asking to find the force on the sphere of charge 6 micro c.. and since you have two spheres then you are should have two forces acting on the sphere of 6 micro c.. You will have F1 between the sphere of 6 micro c and the sphere of -3 micro c, and F2 between the sphere of 6 micro c and the sphere of 1.5 micro c .. Then your answer will be simply F=F1 + F2 ..

NOTE: don't forget that F is a vector and F1+F2 is vector addition (i.e. Determine the direction of each force) ..

Good luck ..
 

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