Electric Forces and Electric Fields of a proton

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around electric forces and fields, specifically involving point charges and the behavior of protons in electric fields. The original poster presents multiple algebra-based questions related to charge interactions and motion in electric fields.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the calculation of forces acting on point charges arranged in a square configuration, questioning the setup and assumptions made regarding distances and angles.
  • Some participants discuss the application of kinematic equations to determine the acceleration and forces acting on a proton in an electric field, while others express uncertainty about their results and seek verification.
  • There are attempts to clarify the relationships between forces and components in the context of equilibrium for the charges.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and alternative methods for approaching the problems. Some have offered guidance on re-evaluating the setup of the first problem, while others are checking calculations for the second and third problems. There is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the answers provided, and multiple interpretations are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific values and constants, such as the charge of a proton and the mass of a proton, while discussing their calculations. There is a noted concern about the accuracy of the provided answers and the need for further clarification on certain steps in the problem-solving process.

himura137
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Hi, I am currently stuck on the following questions. Any help is greatly appreciated. thank you
*all question are algebra based

1) A point charge of -0.90 microC is fixed to one corner of a square. An identical charge is fixed to the diagonally opposite corner. A point charge q is fixed to each of the remaining corners. The net force acting on either of the charges q is zero. Find the magnitude of q.
- i keep getting 3.6 micro C



2) A proton is moving parallel to a uniform electric field. The electric field accelerates the proton and increases its linear momentum to 8.6 x 10^-23 kg·m/s from 2.4 x 10^-23 kg·m/s in a time of 5.7 x 10^-6 s. What is the magnitude of the electric field?



3) A uniform electric field has a magnitude of 3.1 x 10^3 N/C. In a vacuum, a proton begins with a speed of 2.5 x 10^4 m/s and moves in the direction of this field. Find the speed of the proton after it has moved a distance of 1.5 mm.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
1) How did you get to [itex]3.6\mu C[/itex]?
 
i put one of the q as q1 and the -0.9uc as q2 and q3 and the other q as q4 and used the equation F= (k|q1||q2| / r2) +(k|q1||q3| / r2) + (k|q1||q4| / r2) and since the F = 0 on the q and all of them contain k and q1, i just divide it straight through and got ( |q2| + |q3| ) 2 = q which when i plug in the 0.9uc for them, i get 3.6 uc
 
But q4 is not r2 away from the target q.

EDIT -- And the forces on q from q1 and q2 are not pointing in the same directions as the force from q4 on q. You need to do a little trig to get the correct answer for the magnitude of q4.
 
Last edited:
ok i got the answer
i placed the charged like this
q2 q4
q1 q3
i split the question into x and y and got
Fx = (k|q1x||q3x|/ 1^2 ) - (k|q1x||q4x|/ (*root*2)^2 )(cos 45)
Fy = (k|q1y||q2y|/ 1^2 ) - (k|q1y||q4y|/ (*root*2)^2 )(sin 45)
and i get
Fx and Fy as 2.54558 and that is the answer but not why its 2.54558, i though I am supposed to do something else after i got that number since its only the force due in one direction

can someone help me with the other 2 problems, thank you
 
Last edited:
#2
i used the V= Vo +at to find the acceleration of the proton, then multiply that by the mass of proton (1.67262 x 10^-27 kg) to get the Force, than used the equation E = F/q where q is the charge on an electron and since its a proton its positive with the unit (1.6022×10-19 C) and i get 1.355268 x 10^-25

#3, i used the equation F = Eq = ma to find the acceleration of the proton, then used it in the equation V^2 = Vo^2 + 2ad and i got 25017.8105

both answer are wrong, not sure where i messed up on, please help
 
*bumped* i showed my work, can someone please check
 
Let's do #1 another way. Consider one ot the q charges. It is experiencing three forces two of [itex]Fqq_1[/itex] and one of [itex]Fqq[/itex]. The resultant of the two perpendicular components of [itex]Fqq_1[/itex] need to balance that of [itex]Fqq[/itex] for equilibrium to excist. So we can form a perpendicular triangle with these three mentioned forces.
 
himura137 said:
ok i got the answer
i placed the charged like this
q2 q4
q1 q3
i split the question into x and y and got
Fx = (k|q1x||q3x|/ 1^2 ) - (k|q1x||q4x|/ (*root*2)^2 )(cos 45)
Fy = (k|q1y||q2y|/ 1^2 ) - (k|q1y||q4y|/ (*root*2)^2 )(sin 45)
and i get
Fx and Fy as 2.54558 and that is the answer but not why its 2.54558, i though I am supposed to do something else after i got that number since its only the force due in one direction

can someone help me with the other 2 problems, thank you

You have all the components of all of the forces on q1. Which means that Fx and Fy should both be zero! So I do not understand why you say that both components are 2.54558.

#2 I agree with your answer for this problem. So the given answer is most likely wrong.

#3 I got another answer for its final speed. What was your acceleration?
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Fx= 0 = (k|q1x||q2x|/ 1^2 ) + (k|q1x||q3x|/ 1^2 ) - (k|q1x||q4x|/ (*root*2)^2 )(cos 45)

Fy= 0 = (k|q1y||q2y|/ 1^2 ) + (k|q1y||q3y|/ 1^2 ) - (k|q1y||q4y|/ (*root*2)^2 )(sin 45)
so i actually found the force of q4x and q4y, which is same as q1x and q1y


can you check #2 and #3 for me also

#2
i used the V= Vo +at to find the acceleration of the proton, then multiply that by the mass of proton (1.67262 x 10^-27 kg) to get the Force, than used the equation E = F/q where q is the charge on an electron and since its a proton its positive with the unit (1.6022×10-19 C) and i get 1.355268 x 10^-25

#3, i used the equation F = Eq = ma to find the acceleration of the proton, then used it in the equation V^2 = Vo^2 + 2ad and i got 25017.8105
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
8K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
8K