Point Charge Problem (Not in a straight line)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the electric force exerted on a point charge Q=5.0 µC by two other point charges: 2.0 µC located at (0, 0.30m) and -2.0 µC at (0, -0.30m). The user successfully determined the magnitude of the force (F1 on Q) as 0.35952 N and its components along the x and y axes. The next step involves calculating the angle θ for the force vector in relation to the positive x-axis, which requires the application of trigonometric functions based on the derived components.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Coulomb's Law for electric forces
  • Familiarity with vector decomposition in physics
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions for angle calculation
  • Ability to apply the Pythagorean theorem in a two-dimensional context
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the angle θ using the arctangent function: θ = arctan((F1 on Q)y / (F1 on Q)x)
  • Explore the concept of superposition of forces in electrostatics
  • Study the effects of multiple point charges on a single charge
  • Learn about electric field lines and their relation to point charges
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone studying electrostatics, particularly those interested in force calculations involving multiple point charges.

Chandasouk
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Point charge 2.0 uC is located at X= 0, X= 0.30m , point charge -2.0uC is located at X= 0 Y= -0.30m . What are (a)the magnitude and (b)direction of the total electric force that these charges exert on a third point charge Q= 5.0 uC at X= 0.40 , Y= 0?

I drew a diagram of what was going on and used Pythagorean theorem to find out that the distance between Q1 and Q is .50m as well as Q2 and Q. I then broke Q into its components and solved for (F1 on Q)x and (F1 on Q)y. But first

(F1 on Q) = (8.988*10^9)[(2*10^-60 * (5*10^-6)/(.50m)2] = 0.35952N

(F1 on Q)x= 0.35952N*cos\theta = 0.35952N(.40/.50) = 0.287616N

(F1 on Q)Y= -0.35952N*sin\theta = -0.35952N(.30/.50) = -0.215712N

Where do I go from here? And how do I find theta?
 
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Okay, I got the force but how do I find the angle in degrees clockwise from the +x direction?
 

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