Net Force of a charged particle (Coulomb's Law)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the net force on a charged particle using Coulomb's Law, specifically focusing on vector addition of forces between multiple charges. Participants reference a specific problem from a textbook involving charges and their distances.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express frustration with their calculations and the results they are obtaining compared to the textbook answers. There are attempts to clarify the setup of the problem, including the distances and charge values used in the calculations. Some participants question the correctness of their own methods and the assumptions made regarding the distances between charges.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on each other's calculations and identifying potential errors. Some guidance has been offered regarding specific mistakes in the calculations, but there is no clear consensus on the correct approach or final answers yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific charge values and distances, indicating that there may be confusion about the setup of the problem. There is also a reference to a textbook solution that differs from the participants' calculations, suggesting a need for careful review of the problem parameters.

Saladsamurai
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Homework Statement


I really can't see where I am going wrong here. I would latex out my work, but it would take way too long, so I have scanned it in. It should be easy enough to read though.

Its NUMBER 7, fig 21-22 Also the blurr says '100 nC'
Picture3-1.png







The Attempt at a Solution


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crapass...
 
Last edited:
.The solution says .17 N and -.046 N but clearly mine arent even close. I have redone the problem twice and keep getting the same components
 
This is killing me! This should be simple vector addition, nothing more. I'm going to go smash something. . .
 
Well, I think the you got the -.046 thing correct, and the other answer looks to be .67... so i think its a typo error.

Neways, what did you smash?:wink:
 
Why did you put 0.025 in your denominator? I don't understand why you have it as 0.5a^2. a = 0.05 m. So that is the distance between Q3 and Q4 and Q3 and Q1.

I got the same answers as the book did.
 
Last edited:
hage567 said:
Why did you put 0.025 in your denominator? I don't understand by you have it as 0.5a^2. a = 0.05 m. So that is the distance between Q3 and Q4 and Q3 and Q1.

I got the same answers as the book did.

I am such a douchebag sometimes. Ya know. I see the variable r and I automatically this radius of circle and I cut it in half. Thanks hage.
 
lol, it happens. You're welcome.
 
I looks like you are making some silly mistakes. E.g. i) (5cm)^2=(0.05m)^2=0.0025m^2. Why are you using (0.025m)^2? ii) In F31 you have the charges as 100 and 100, shouldn't they be 100 and 200? Yeah, stuff like that does make me want to hit something. Usually myself. Don't do it.
 
  • #10
Dick said:
I looks like you are making some silly mistakes. E.g. i) (5cm)^2=(0.05m)^2=0.0025m^2. Why are you using (0.025m)^2? ii) In F31 you have the charges as 100 and 100, shouldn't they be 100 and 200? Yeah, stuff like that does make me want to hit something. Usually myself. Don't do it.

:puts giant rubber mallet down: oh. . . okay :(
 

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