How Can I Calculate the Force and Distance Between Protons in a Triangle?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the force and distance between three protons arranged in a triangular formation, with specific distances known and one unknown. The context includes applying Coulomb's law and geometric principles to find the missing distance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the known distances and question how to determine the unknown distance. There is mention of using the Pythagorean theorem if a right angle is assumed, and the implications of the triangle's properties are explored.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, questioning the assumptions about the triangle's shape and discussing the implications of the right angle. There is no explicit consensus, but some guidance on geometric reasoning has been suggested.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the specific conditions of the triangle, particularly the assumption of a right angle, which has not been confirmed by the problem statement. The lack of additional information about the forces or other constraints is noted.

jawo3
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Hi,

There are 3 Protons (P) that form a triangle.
distance PA-PB -->15mm
distance PB-PC -->20mm
distance PA-PC --> unknown

I have to calculate the last distance and the forces between the protons by using coulomb´s laws.

I tried to calculate the force between AB and BC:
F1=1.02 E -24
F2=5.76 E -25

Now I don´t know what to do next? Can I use the a²+b²=c² for either the Fore or the distance?


Thanks
jawo3
 
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You've got a triangle with 2 known sides 15 and 20. The third side could be anywhere from 0 to 35 mm and still form a triangle. Do we have any more information to help us decide what the 3rd side is? Something about the forces, perhaps?
 
The teache or the problem didn´t say it but on the picture that I got it looks like there is a right angle, where Proton B is.
 
Well, that makes it easy. Just a geometry question, no physics involved.
 

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