Four charges in a plane. Finding the resultant Force

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the resultant force among four charges in a plane using Coulomb's law. The user attempted to find the forces between three charges by breaking them into x and y components and applying the Pythagorean theorem for the resultant force. However, they were unable to arrive at the correct answer. Another participant suggested that the issue might stem from incorrectly determining the direction of the forces, emphasizing that like charges repel while unlike charges attract. The conversation highlights the importance of accurately representing force directions in such calculations.
rphung
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Homework Statement


number4.jpg



Homework Equations


kq1q1/r^2
k being 8.98755 x 10^9


The Attempt at a Solution



I found the 3 forces between the 3 charges using the above equation. I split up the forces into x and y compnents. Added the sum of the y's and the x's. Used Pythagorean theorem to find the resulting force. I could not get the correct answer.
 
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rphung said:

The Attempt at a Solution



I found the 3 forces between the 3 charges using the above equation. I split up the forces into x and y compnents. Added the sum of the y's and the x's. Used Pythagorean theorem to find the resulting force. I could not get the correct answer.

Well since you didn't post your calculation and you did do the question how you were supposed to do it.The most I can say is that you probably drew the forces going in the wrong direction. Like charges repel and unlike attract.
 
My resulting vector was pointing towards the first quadrant. Is that right?
 

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