Force on (+q) in a Square Configuration

  • Thread starter Thread starter awvvu
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Law
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the force on a charge (+q) located at one corner of a square configuration of four charges. The arrangement includes two negative charges and two positive charges, with the goal of determining the net force acting on (+q) due to the other charges.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the force components acting on (+q) but finds a discrepancy between their result and the textbook answer. They express uncertainty about the origin of a specific term in the textbook's solution.
  • Another participant suggests that the calculation of the force from the charge (+4Q) may require considering the projection of the distance in the x-direction, indicating a potential oversight in the original poster's approach.
  • One participant acknowledges a common mistake related to the calculations involved in determining the force components.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the force calculations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to consider projections in the calculations, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach or the source of the discrepancy in the results.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is an indication of confusion regarding the application of trigonometric functions in the context of the problem.

awvvu
Messages
188
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


4 charges are arranged in the corners of a square of lengths L as follows:

(-Q) --------- (+q)
|
|
|
(+4Q) ------- (-Q)

What is the magnitude of the force on the (+q)?

The Attempt at a Solution


My answer doesn't match up with my book's.

x-component of the force is, where K is \frac{1}{4 \pi \epsilon_0}:

F_x = K q(\frac{- Q}{L^2} + \frac{4Q}{2 L^2}) = K q \frac{Q}{L^2}

The x and y components of the force are equal by symmetry:

\vec{F} = K q \frac{Q}{L^2} (\hat{x} + \hat{y})

Therefore the magnitude is:

F = \sqrt{2} K q \frac{Q}{L^2}

However, my textbook says the answer is:

F = (2 - \sqrt{2}) K q \frac{Q}{L^2}

I have no idea where they got the "2" term from. I probably just made a careless mistake somewhere, but I can't see it.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Bump -- anyone?
 
so, in F_x,when computing F(4Q)

you must 1 compute L, and then compute projection in x, i guess that wasn't made...
i made Kq \frac{4Q}{\frac{L}{cos(45º)}^{2}}*cos(45º)

gretts
littlepig

P.s, Sorry, but i give up, 10m to try making the equation and i still couldn't do it...
 
Last edited:
Ah, that's exactly it! I always forget to do that. Thanks.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
985
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
16
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K