Find the vector of the net Force

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the net force acting on a charge q1 due to two other charges, q2 and q3, using Coulomb's law. Participants are exploring the relationships between the charges and the forces they exert on each other in a two-dimensional space.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the values of the charges and their positions, questioning the assumptions about the forces acting on q1. There are attempts to calculate the forces between the charges and to express them as vectors. Some participants express confusion regarding the calculations and the definitions of the forces involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing calculations and questioning each other's reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the decomposition of forces into vector components, and there is an ongoing exploration of the relationships between the forces acting on q1.

Contextual Notes

There is some confusion regarding the values of the charges and their units, as well as the interpretation of the forces involved. Participants are clarifying the definitions and ensuring consistency in their calculations.

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Take q1=25uC at (0,1), q2=20uC. at (2,0), and q3=? at (2,2). IF the force on q1 points in the -x direction, (a) what is q3 and (b) what is the magnitude of the force on q1?


F=k(q1,q2)/r^2 coulombs law


I know since q1 points in the -x direction that q3=q2. So (a)=20uC.
I'm not sure how to go about part b.
 
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Find the vector of the net Force acting on q1 (due to q2 and q3). Take the magnitude of that vector.
 
mrlucky0 said:
Find the vector of the net Force acting on q1 (due to q2 and q3). Take the magnitude of that vector.


I found the r (the distance between q2 and q1) to be root 5. Then i made the equation
((9*10^9)(2.0*10^-6)(2.5*10^-6))/5 which = .009

.009*2=.018N since q2=q3.
 
You should decompose the forces into vectors.

I calculated the force between q1 and q2 to be .9 N

This is from:

kq1q2/r^2 ; where k = 9E9, q1= 25E-6, q2=20E-6, r=sqrt(5)

So F21 = .9*< -cos(a), sin(a) > ; where angle a = 26.5

The y component of F31 should cancel out F21 if the net force only acts in the -x direction.
 
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mrlucky0 said:
You should decompose the forces into vectors.

I calculated the force between q1 and q2 to be .9 N

This is from:

kq1q2/r^2 ; where k = 9E9, q1= 25E-6, q2=20E-6, r=sqrt(5)

So F21 = .9*< -cos(a), sin(a) > ; where angle a = 26.5

The y component of F31 should cancel out F21 if the net force only acts in the -x direction.

If i am not mistaken, shouldn't q1=2.5E-6 and q2=2.0E-6? That is how i got .009.
I'm still kind of confused. What is F31?? The force created from q3 right?
 
q1 = 25E-6 = 2.5E-5
q2 = 20E-6 = 2.0E-5
k = 9E9
r = sqrt(5)

I get .9 N

F31 is the force acting on q1 by q3.
 
I got that the net force, F31 + F21 = .9<-2cos(A), 0>. You know the angle A, so you can just take the magnitude of that.
 
mrlucky0 said:
q1 = 25E-6 = 2.5E-5
q2 = 20E-6 = 2.0E-5
k = 9E9
r = sqrt(5)

I get .9 N

F31 is the force acting on q1 by q3.

no...q1=25uC = 2.5*10^-6 right? same with q2.
 
1 C = E6 uC
Or 1 uC = E-6 C ( a Micro-Coulomb is a millionth of a Coulomb)

25 uC * 1 C / E6 uC = 2.5E5 C

I think you're trying to move the decimal places the wrong direction.
 

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