Magnitude of Forces exerted by charges.

[genu]

Homework Statement

A charge q1 = 4.0 μC is at the origin and a charge q2 = 6.0 μC is on the x-axis at x = 3.0 m.

Find the magnitude of the force exerted on q1. Give your answer in N rounded to 3 decimal places.

Find the magnitude of the force exerted on q2. Give your answer in N rounded to 3 decimal places

Homework Equations

F=(k(q1*q2))/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution

I converted μC to C
and I got 23.973N for the first part. (isn't this too much force for a charge?)
The second part, shouldn't the force be the same?

 

[kuruman]

Please show more of your work. What exactly are the numbers you put in the equation?

Yes, in the second part the force should be the same. Can you explain why?

 

[genu]

q1 = 4.0 μC = 4.0 * 10^-9 C
q2 = 6.0 μC = 6.0 * 10^-9 C

here is what I did
F = (8.99 * 10^9 * 4.0 * 10^-9 C * 6.0 * 10^-9 C)/3.0^2 = 23.973N

Now that I think about it, the difference between the 2 questions should be the direction of the force, but the same magnitude.

 

[kuruman]

Redo your calculation for two reasons

1. 1.0 μC = 1.0 * 10^-6 C
2. Just by looking at the powers of 10 and your answer, it is clear that you forgot to multiply by the second 10^-9.

 

[genu]

oh...I see, thank for pointing that out.

As far as the signs go, do the answers have different signs?

Although, they don't specify as to whether the charges are positive or negative.

 

[kuruman]

Signs don't matter here. You are asked to find magnitudes and these are always positive.