Finding net forces when 3 charged objects are involved

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating net forces among three charged objects arranged in an equilateral triangle, each with a charge of 11x10-6C. The force of repulsion between two charges was calculated to be 48.4N, with the y-components of the forces adding up to 83.8N. It is confirmed that the net force acting on each charge is indeed 83.8N, as the x-components cancel each other out. The process involves determining individual forces and using vector addition to find the resultant force.

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EdTheHead
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I'm having trouble understanding these kinda questions. I'm assuming this kinda thing applies to all types of force when there's 3 objects exerting the force so its fairly important to know. Let's say I have 3 charges of 11x10-6C that make up an equilateral triangle.
[PLAIN]http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/8784/chargex.jpg
I've calculated the force of repulsion between 2 of these charges and its 48.4N. I don't really know what to do from here on. I can see that the x components of forces AB and AC cancel each other out and their y components add to 83.8N. Does that mean the net force acting on each of these 3 charges is 83.8N?

Also when it comes to things like these is it just a matter of knowing the x and y components involved then using them to get the resultant?
 
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EdTheHead said:
I've calculated the force of repulsion between 2 of these charges and its 48.4N.
OK. (I'll take your word for it.)
I don't really know what to do from here on. I can see that the x components of forces AB and AC cancel each other out and their y components add to 83.8N. Does that mean the net force acting on each of these 3 charges is 83.8N?
Yes.

Also when it comes to things like these is it just a matter of knowing the x and y components involved then using them to get the resultant?
To find the net force on any of the charges, just find the individual forces acting on that charge (due to the other charges) and add them up to find the resultant. How you find the resultant is up to you. (There are several ways to add vectors.) What you did was perfect.
 

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