Finding net force on charges on xy plane

[gnarkil]

Homework Statement

A proton is on the x-axis at x = 1.2 nm. An electron is on the y-axis at y = 1.2 nm.
Find the net force the two exert on a helium nucleus (charge +2e) at the origin.
Express your answer using two significant figures. Enter your answers numerically separated by a comma, such that " Fx, Fy = ...,..."

Homework Equations

electron charge, e = -1.6*10^-19 coulombs
proton charge, + e = + 1.6*10^-19 coulombs
distance, r = 1.2 nm = 1.2*10^-9 m
constant, k = 9*10^9

force in Newtons, F = kq_1q_2/r^2 where q_1 and q_2 represent point charge

The Attempt at a Solution

charge at origin = +2e = 3.2*10^-19 coulombs

Fy = force y-axis = electron and origin charge = [(9*10^9)(-1.6*10^-19)(3.2*10^-19)]/(1.2*10^-9)2 = - 3.2*10^-10 Newtons

Fx = force y-axis = proton and origin charge = [(9*10^9)(+1.6*10^-19)(3.2*10^-19)]/(1.2*10^-9)2 = - 3.2*10^-10 Newtons

Fnet = sqrt(Fy^2 + Fx^2) = sqrt(2.048*10^-19) = 4.5255*10^-10 Newtons

i entered these and they were wrong:

Fx, Fy = 4.53*10^-10, -4.53*10^-10
Fx, Fy = 3.2*10^-10, -3.2*10^-10

are my calculations correct? what should i enter?

 

[scrplyr]

yea, i solved that problem the same way. the problem is in the book, and using that same equation for Fx, Fy i got the same answer as the solution in the book. but when i did the problem on mp (my numbers were different) the answer was wrong - and i solved it the SAME way. aghhh I am sooo lost. i don't know why its wrong =/

 

[gnarkil]

i originally had the signs wrong, Fx is actually -3.2*10^-10, my Fy is wrong, it is a positive value though. why is it wrong, i thought the two forces would be equal in magnitude.

it says my Fy value is "you may have made a rounding error or used the wrong number of significant figures." it is currently Fy = 3.2*10^-10

could someone please help me for Fy

 

[scrplyr]

i would have thought it would have been the same in your problem, just opposite signs, since your distances are the same. mine are different for the x-axis and y-axis, so i don't know - my answer's not even right =( I am finishing up mp tomorrow afternoon though - kinda late - but I am sure i'll get the rest of it by then, if ur still working on it

 

[gnarkil]

i tried to run the calculations again and i am still getting 3.2*10^-10, is there any reason why the forces should have different magnitudes? it doesn't seem to make sense

 

[scrplyr]

ok, i tried my answer and it keeps coming out wrong - i don't think i messed up on any of my calculations...
i had 1.7 nm distance on the x-axis for the proton, and 1.3 nm distance on the y-axis for the electron. everything else is the same.
my equations were:

Fx= -k (e)(2e)/(1.7*10^-9)² = -(9*10⁹)(1.6*10^-19)(3.2*10^-19)/(2.89*10^-18) = -(4.608*10^-28)/(2.89*10^-18) = -1.594*10^-10 N

Fx= k (e)(2e)/(1.3*10^-9)² = (9*10⁹)(1.6*10^-19)(3.2*10^-19)/(1.69*10^-18) = (4.608*10^-28)/(1.69*10^-18) = 2.726*10^-10 N

i solved the problem in the book the same way, with their numbers and it was right... but i don't know what i did wrong here...? mp marked my answers wrong with no suggestions or anything - so its like they're completely off. any idea why?

 

[scrplyr]

i think your answer is right - MP had the wong answers. she's making it a practice problem now so we don't lose points.