Problem involving Coulombs Law; suspended masses

[adkinje]

Two point particles, each of mass m and charge q are suspended from a common point by threads of length L. Each thread makes an angle \theta with the vertical. (I attached a diagram to help).

I must show that
q=2L\sin\theta\sqrt{\frac{mg}{k}\tan\theta}

I start out by writing the force sum in the coordinate system, and then I solve for q:

0=mg+k\frac{q^2}{R^2}

=mg+k\frac{q^2}{4L^2\sin^2\theta}

q^2=-4L^2\sin^2\theta\frac{mg}{k}

I'm confused by the negative sign, if I ignore it I get:

q=2L\sin\theta\sqrt{\frac{mg}{k}}

The \tan\theta is missing in my solution.

 

[Doc Al]

I start out by writing the force sum in the coordinate system, and then I solve for q:

0=mg+k\frac{q^2}{R^2}

Forces are vectors--direction matters. Hint: Consider the horizontal and vertical components of the forces.

Don't forget the tension force exerted by the thread.

 

[adkinje]

Forces are vectors--direction matters. Hint: Consider the horizontal and vertical components of the forces.

Don't forget the tension force exerted by the thread.

lol, DUH the tension! I can't believe I left that one out. I pulled it togther and obtained the given expression. Thanks for your help.