Magnitude of the Net Electrostatic Force On an Oxygen Atom

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the net electrostatic force on an oxygen atom in a water molecule, given the angle Θ = 103.5° and the distance d = 93.1 x 10-9 m between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms. The partial negative charge on the oxygen atom is Q1 = -1.104 x 10-19 C, while the charge on each hydrogen atom is Q2 = 5.52 x 10-20 C. The electrostatic force is calculated using Coulomb's Law, F = (k * Q1 * Q2) / r2, where k = 9 x 109 N m2/C2. The angle is essential for determining the vector sum of the forces acting on the oxygen atom from both hydrogen atoms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Coulomb's Law for electrostatic force calculations
  • Understanding of molecular geometry, specifically water molecule structure
  • Basic knowledge of charge and electronegativity concepts
  • Vector addition for calculating net forces
NEXT STEPS
  • Study vector addition in physics to understand net force calculations
  • Learn about molecular geometry and its impact on molecular interactions
  • Explore electrostatics in detail, focusing on Coulomb's Law applications
  • Investigate the concept of electronegativity and its effects on molecular charge distributions
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Students studying chemistry or physics, particularly those focusing on molecular interactions, electrostatics, and force calculations in molecular structures.

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Homework Statement


The water molecule forms an angle, with hydrogen atoms at the tips and the oxygen atom at the vertex (see diagram in the previous problem).
Assume that the angle at the oxygen atom is Θ = 103.5o and the distance between the oxygen and the hydrogen atoms is d = 93.1 x 10-9 m.
Calculate the magnitude of the net electrostatic force on the oxygen atom. Use the charges from the previous problem.

This next stuff is what i have already figured out in a different problem that they want you to use in this one.
The water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Since the oxygen atom has a higher electronegativity than the hydrogen atom, the side of the molecule with the oxygen atom has a partial negative charge. Assume that the partial negative charge on the oxygen atom is Q1 = -1.104 x 10-19 C. What is the magnitude of the charge Q2 on each hydrogen atom?

and here is the picture.
http://jilawww.colorado.edu/beckergroup/figures/Water.jpg
For this part i got an answer of 5.52e-20 C which the computer said was correct.
that should be all the info you need

Homework Equations


so i am pretty sure that you do F=(k*q1*q2)/r^2 but i am just unsure of why they give you the angle of the oxygen to the hydrogen and what to do with it. please help me!


The Attempt at a Solution


well k is a constant that is 9*10^9 (i think) q2 is the 5.52e-20 C that i found inthe other equation, i am trying to find q1 and r 1/2(93.1x10^-9) but other then that i have no idea what to do.
 
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Isn't the question asking you for the vector sum of the two electrostatic forces on the oxygen atom due to the two hydrogen atoms?
 

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