Electrostatic force and magnitude problem

AI Thread Summary
The net electrostatic force on charge Q1 is zero, and its value is +4.99 nC. To find the magnitude of charge Qo, the formula Qo = (r0/r1)^2 * abs(q)*2cos θ is suggested. Participants emphasize the importance of treating forces as vectors, requiring the addition of forces based on their directions. The direction of each vector is determined by the line connecting the two charges. Understanding these vector components is crucial for solving the problem effectively.
loganblacke
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
In the figure, the net electrostatic force on Q1 is zero. If Q1 = +4.99 nC, determine the magnitude of Qo.


Qo = (r0/r1)^2 * abs(q)*2cos theta

The figure is attached, please help, I'm so lost with physics II
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0218.jpg
    IMG_0218.jpg
    50.1 KB · Views: 472
Physics news on Phys.org
hi loganblacke! :smile:

(have a theta: θ and try using the X2 icon just above the Reply box :wink:)

forces are vectors, so you have to add them as vectors

start by writing out the three forces as three vectors :smile:
 
How do i determine the direction of the vectors?
 
each vector will point along the line between the two charges :smile:
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top