Incredibly basic Coulomb's law question - am I being silly?

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    Coulomb's law Law
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The discussion revolves around a user's confusion regarding the application of Coulomb's law and the calculation of force components in a physics problem. The user questions the absence of a y-component in the net force acting on a charge, despite using the parallelogram method for vector addition. Respondents emphasize the importance of considering the magnitudes of the charges when calculating forces, as this affects the resultant vector. They also advise against relying solely on graphical methods during exams due to time constraints. The user acknowledges the feedback and expresses a desire to improve their understanding for future assessments.
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member reminded that problem statement should be text and not a graphic
I've attached my workings... But is this correct? I can't see the fault with it. However I can't see how there will be no y-component to the force... Can someone a bit smarter than me tell me if I'm being really dim.

17387568979_224c324095_b.jpg
https://flic.kr/p/sutQu4][/PLAIN]
 
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smileandbehappy said:
However I can't see how there will be no y-component to the force...
What's the y-component of the force from B on C? Compare that to the y-component of the force from A on C.

(I'm having trouble reading your diagram.)
 
Doc Al said:
What's the y-component of the force from B on C? Compare that to the y-component of the force from A on C.

(I'm having trouble reading your diagram.)

Apologies about the poor iphone photo/my diagram drawing skills. If you click on the link you can then zoom in and see it better. I am no good at typing things out - and it seems like a waste of time to do so to ask a question, so I just photo my work. But I do realize it's a pain.

I have done this and found that the y-component for Fca and Fcb cancel each other out. Which is what I have a problem with. I have tried to draw out the what the ovreral force should look like... However I think I should get a y-component from the overall force... Noting here I am just using the paralellogram method and am not taking into account the magnitude of the charges...

Hold on - are you saying I should look at the relative sizes of the charges and compare them to the y component using the angle... If so I've seen this done before however I have never done it myself. I always just use the algebra and maths to give me an answer. I usually get the right answer to drop out - however sadly you are always a little unsure if you have it right or not.
 
smileandbehappy said:
I have done this and found that the y-component for Fca and Fcb cancel each other out.
Right.

smileandbehappy said:
Which is what I have a problem with.

smileandbehappy said:
I have tried to draw out the what the ovreral force should look like... However I think I should get a y-component from the overall force... Noting here I am just using the paralellogram method and am not taking into account the magnitude of the charges...
If you used the parallelogram method properly to add those vectors, you would get a net force on C that would have no y-component. You must take into account the magnitude of the charges as they determine the magnitude of the forces!

smileandbehappy said:
Hold on - are you saying I should look at the relative sizes of the charges and compare them to the y component using the angle...
You certainly must consider the relative charges to properly scale your forces when drawing your parallelogram.
 
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Doc Al said:
Right.

If you used the parallelogram method properly to add those vectors, you would get a net force on C that would have no y-component. You must take into account the magnitude of the charges as they determine the magnitude of the forces!

You certainly must consider the relative charges to properly scale your forces when drawing your parallelogram.

Thanks - I will do that in the future. I am currently revising for an exam where I only have around 5 minutes so answer both parts of that question including reading and checking time - so I can't do too much. But i do appreciate if I am going to do something I should do it properly.

For the avoidance of doubt - and because I'm a bit dim. Is the answer correct? Thanks Sam
 
smileandbehappy said:
I am no good at typing things out - and it seems like a waste of time to do so to ask a question, so I just photo my work.
Posting your problem as an image and not following the homework template is against our rules. (See: How to Ask for Homework Help)

(My bad for not pointing this out sooner.)

smileandbehappy said:
Thanks - I will do that in the future. I am currently revising for an exam where I only have around 5 minutes so answer both parts of that question including reading and checking time - so I can't do too much.
On an exam, I would not waste time with graphical addition of vectors.

smileandbehappy said:
For the avoidance of doubt - and because I'm a bit dim. Is the answer correct?
Type out your answer and I'll check it out.
 

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