Solve Columb's Law Problem: q1 for q2=4.4nC, Dist 10cm and 20cm

  • Thread starter Thread starter jfusion
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Law
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the charge q1 in a static equilibrium scenario with a known charge q2 of 4.4nC, positioned at specified distances from other charges. The context is rooted in Coulomb's Law and electrostatic forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations related to the forces acting on q2 and the isolation of q1. There are inquiries about the correctness of the initial answer and considerations regarding significant figures and charge signs.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their calculations and questioning the assumptions made, particularly regarding rounding and the sign of the charge. Some guidance has been provided through shared insights, but no consensus has been reached on the final value of q1.

Contextual Notes

Access to the relevant figure is limited for some participants, which may affect the clarity of the problem setup and assumptions being discussed.

jfusion
Messages
5
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Charge q2 in the figure(Figure 1) is in static equilibrium. Assume that q = 4.4nC .

Figure:http://session.masteringphysics.com/myct/itemView?assignmentProblemID=31833513&offset=prev

what is q1 ( distance between q2 and q is 10com and distance between q1 and q2 is 20cm)

Homework Equations


F=k*q1*q2/(2d)^2 + k*q*q2/d^2 = 0

I then isolate for q1

The Attempt at a Solution


My answer is 1.7x10^-8 C which is wrong, I have converted all givens to Standard units
 
Physics news on Phys.org
We don't have access to the figure since we can't log into the publisher's site.
 
Thanks for pointing that out, here's the image
 

Attachments

  • Capture.PNG
    Capture.PNG
    2.1 KB · Views: 1,958
Maybe it's just a matter of rounding or sig figs.
 
i don't believe so, do you come to the same conclusion?
 
Yes, but when I round to two sig figs, I get a slightly different answer. Also, it could be that you didn't specify the correct sign of the charge.
 
what do get as your final answer? and the charge would be + correct?
 
it accepted 16nC thanks for the help
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
8K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
10K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
10K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
7K