Electric Forces with particles and Columbs law problem.

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating electric forces between charged particles using Coulomb's law. The original poster presents two scenarios: one with two particles of different charges and another with two identical positive charges, seeking to find the charge of the latter based on the force being equal to the first scenario.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to solve for the charge of the second pair of particles using Coulomb's law but encounters discrepancies in their results. Participants question the accuracy of significant figures and the values used in calculations.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaged in clarifying the original poster's approach and discussing the significance of numerical precision. There is no explicit consensus on the correct answer, but some guidance regarding significant figures has been offered.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses concern about the correctness of their calculations and the potential impact of significant figures on their results. There is an indication of uncertainty regarding the values used in the calculations.

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Homework Statement


Two particles, one with charge -7.13 × 10-6 C and one with charge 1.87 × 10-6 C, are 0.0284 meters apart. What is the magnitude of the force that one particle exerts on the other?
Two new particles, which have identical positive charge q3, are placed the same 0.0284 meters apart, and the force between them is measured to be the same as that between the original particles. What is q3?

Homework Equations


Fe=Kq1*q2 /r^2

The Attempt at a Solution


So for the first part. I got the answer right for the force which was 148.7 N. However for the second part, I tried doing Fe= kq3^2/r^2 and solved for q3. However I keep getting 3.6 x 10 ^-6 columbs and that's wrong according the my physics homework website. Any help where I am going wrong?THanks!
 
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Could it be that you are not expressing your answer to the correct number of significant figures?
 
TSny said:
Could it be that you are not expressing your answer to the correct number of significant figures?
thats what I am thinking. However I've tried diffrent ways of expressing the answer and its still wrong so I am assuming my numbers might be off.
 
What do you get to 3 significant figures?
 
TSny said:
What do you get to 3 significant figures?
3.651 x 10 ^-6 but the answer is still wrong
 
Well, your answer certainly looks correct to me.
 

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