Electrical Force At Equilibrium

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SUMMARY

The problem involves two known charges, -10.4 µC and 46.4 µC, positioned on the x-axis, with the former at the origin and the latter at x = 15.6 cm. The goal is to determine the location and magnitude of an unknown charge that achieves equilibrium among the three charges. The correct solution identifies the unknown charge's position at -14 cm and its magnitude as 37.44 µC, correcting the initial incorrect calculation of -0.0497 cm.

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zakaqel
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This a problem which was assigned using webassign:


Two known charges, -10.4 µC and 46.4 µC, and an unknown charge are located on the x axis. The charge -10.4 µC is at the origin, and the charge 46.4 µC is at x = 15.6 cm. The unknown charge is to be placed so that each charge is in equilibrium under the action of the electric forces exerted by the other two charges. Find the required location and magnitude of the unknown charge.

I got -0.0497 cm for part 1 of the question(which webassign says is wrong). I don't know how to answer part two the question.
 
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Welcome to PF!

zakaqel said:
Two known charges, -10.4 µC and 46.4 µC, and an unknown charge are located on the x axis. The charge -10.4 µC is at the origin, and the charge 46.4 µC is at x = 15.6 cm. The unknown charge is to be placed so that each charge is in equilibrium under the action of the electric forces exerted by the other two charges. Find the required location and magnitude of the unknown charge.

I got -0.0497 cm for part 1 of the question(which webassign says is wrong).

Hi zakaqel! Welcome to PF! :smile:

Show us how you got -0.0497 cm, and then we can see where you went wrong. :wink:
 
Thank you tiny-tim. I actually ended up solving the problem. The answer is -14 cm and the charge is 37.44 uc.
 

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