Help with Electric charges using coulomb's law

In summary, the problem involves two point charges, q1 and q2, located on the y-axis with values of -2.5nC and +3.5nC respectively. A third charge, q3, is located at y=-0.4m. Using Coulomb's law, the net force exerted by q1 and q2 on q3 can be calculated by summing the individual forces between q3 and each of the other charges. The equation for Coulomb's law is F=k(q1q2/r^2), where k is a constant equal to 9x10^9 N*M^2/C^2. The net force is found by adding the forces Fq2 to 3
  • #1
ronybhai
6
0

Homework Statement



Two point charges are located on the y-axis as follows: charge q1=-2.5nC at y=-0.6m, and charge q2=+3.5nC at the origin. What is the net force (x, y components) exerted by these two charges on a third charge q3=+5.0nC located at y=-0.4m?

Homework Equations


F=k (abs(q1*q2)/r^2)
k is constant k=9x10^9 N*M^2/C^2

The Attempt at a Solution


Like Charges repel, opposite charges attract.
q2 is at the origin, q1 is -0.6m far from q2. q3 -0.4m far from q2.
Not sure if i quite got it right...
if any1 can help me out...thx a lot for your time.
 
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  • #2
im pretty sure you would do Fnet = F1 + F2

where F1 is the distance from the third charge to one charge

F2 is the distance from the third charge to the second point charge

oh and the equation you gave is the magnitude
remove the absolute value and treat each force as a vector
 
  • #3
SSJ2 said:
im pretty sure you would do Fnet = F1 + F2

where F1 is the distance from the third charge to one charge

F2 is the distance from the third charge to the second point charge

oh and the equation you gave is the magnitude
remove the absolute value and treat each force as a vector

so what is gne be net force using the coulombs law...
Fq2 to 3 =(9*10^9)(3.5nC)(5.0nC)/-0.4^2
Fq1 to 3 = (9*10^9)( -2.5nC)(5.0nC)/-0.6^2
 

1. What is Coulomb's Law?

Coulomb's Law is a fundamental law in physics that describes the electrostatic interaction between two electrically charged particles. It states that the force between two charged particles is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

2. How is Coulomb's Law used to calculate electric charges?

To calculate electric charges using Coulomb's Law, you need to know the charges of the two particles and the distance between them. The formula for Coulomb's Law is F = (k * q1 * q2) / d2, where F is the force between the particles, k is a constant, q1 and q2 are the charges of the particles, and d is the distance between them.

3. What is the unit of charge used in Coulomb's Law?

The unit of charge used in Coulomb's Law is the Coulomb (C). It is defined as the amount of charge that passes through a point in one second when there is a constant current of one ampere (A).

4. Can Coulomb's Law be applied to both positive and negative charges?

Yes, Coulomb's Law can be applied to both positive and negative charges. The force between two like charges (both positive or both negative) will be repulsive, while the force between two unlike charges (one positive and one negative) will be attractive.

5. How does the distance between two charges affect the strength of the force between them?

The force between two charges is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This means that as the distance between the charges increases, the force between them decreases. In other words, the closer the charges are, the stronger the force between them will be.

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