Forces in Equilibirum? Star Wars forces?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of forces in equilibrium, specifically in the context of three charges interacting with each other. Participants explore the nature of these forces and how they relate to each other, drawing analogies to fictional forces in Star Wars.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how the right charge can exert a force on the left charge, suggesting a misunderstanding of the interaction between charges.
  • Another participant asserts that both charges exert forces on each other due to their charges, referencing specific sections and equations from a source.
  • A different participant introduces the idea that a middle charge might be "blocking" the interaction, indicating a potential misunderstanding of how forces operate in this scenario.
  • In response, another participant clarifies that the middle charge does not block the forces, emphasizing that charges always exert forces on each other regardless of other charges present.
  • Participants draw parallels between the interactions of charges and gravitational forces among masses, such as stars and planets.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is disagreement regarding the role of the middle charge in the interactions between the other two charges. Some participants believe it blocks the interaction, while others argue that it does not affect the forces exerted between the charges.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific equations and sections from a source, but there may be limitations in understanding the implications of these equations in the context of the problem. The discussion also highlights potential misunderstandings regarding the nature of force interactions among multiple charges.

flyingpig
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Forces in Equilibirum? Star Wars forces?

Homework Statement



http://iweb.tntech.edu/murdock/books/v4chap1.pdf

Go to question 11 where you see three charges hanging.

The solution is something i don't understand.

The forces between the middle and left or right are the same. But the solution also set sum of the force exerted by the middle charge on the left and right on left together to equal to the horizontal force (I think they made a trig mistake, but it worked out fine in this case since \theta = 45 degrees).

My question is, how does the right exert a force all the way to the left? This is like Star Wars Forces...

How does it even interact with it?
 
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flyingpig said:
My question is, how does the right exert a force all the way to the left? This is like Star Wars Forces...

How does it even interact with it?
They both have a charge, therefore they exert a force on each other. See section 1.1.3 and Equation 1.3.
 


Redbelly98 said:
They both have a charge, therefore they exert a force on each other. See section 1.1.3 and Equation 1.3.

But there is a middle charge that's "blocking"
 


No, charge in the middle doesn't block anything. Whenever you have two charges they either attract or repel each other, no matter what other charges are present around. Thus to solve any question you have to take care of forces between each pair of charges.

Same happens when you have a set of masses (stars, planets) and gravitational forces.
 

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