Two Point Charge Force Calculation on Left Side

In summary, the force experienced by the charge on the left hand side of a large grounded conducting plane can be calculated using the electric force equation. This equation takes into account the charges on both sides of the conductor, resulting in a force that is equivalent to having two times the charge on the opposite side.
  • #1
patm95
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Homework Statement



Two point charges sit on either side of large grounded conducting plane. Give an expression for the force experienced by the charge on the left hand side. There is a neg charge on one side and positive charge on the other side.

Homework Equations



The electric force equation:

F=Q1Q2/4pi*Ep*r^2

The Attempt at a Solution



Well I know that if I have a charge on one side of conductor there will be a force as if there was an opposite charge on the opposite side of the conductor. So my rationale of thinking is that there will be a force on the charge as if there were 2X the charge on the opposite side of the conductor (since there is one there already plus the image) Is this the correct way of thinking? Thanks!
 
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  • #2
thats what i was thinking when read the question too
 
  • #3
Great! Thanks!
 

1. What is the formula for calculating the force between two point charges on the left side?

The formula for calculating the force between two point charges on the left side is given by Coulomb's Law: F = k * (q1 * q2)/r^2, where F is the force in Newtons, k is the Coulomb's constant (9 * 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the magnitudes of the two charges in Coulombs, and r is the distance between the two charges in meters.

2. How do the magnitudes and distance affect the force between two point charges on the left side?

The force between two point charges on the left side is directly proportional to the product of the two charges (q1 * q2) and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them (r^2). This means that as the magnitudes of the charges increase, the force between them will also increase. Similarly, as the distance between the two charges increases, the force between them will decrease.

3. What units are used for the force, charge, and distance in the formula for calculating the force between two point charges on the left side?

The force is measured in Newtons (N), the charge is measured in Coulombs (C), and the distance is measured in meters (m).

4. Can the force between two point charges on the left side ever be negative?

Yes, the force between two point charges on the left side can be negative if the two charges have opposite signs (one positive and one negative). In this case, the force will act in the opposite direction of the positive charge.

5. How does the direction of the force between two point charges on the left side depend on the signs of the charges?

If the two charges have the same sign (both positive or both negative), the force between them will be repulsive and act in the direction away from the charges. If the two charges have opposite signs, the force between them will be attractive and act in the direction towards the charges.

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