Solve Coulomb Vector Force Q1,Q2 & Q3 Homework - Dan

[dantheman91]

Homework Statement

Hey everyone, i have a homework question I'm completely stuck on.

Coulomb Vector Force

Q1= 20nC
Q2= -96nC
Q3= +250 nC
A(y axis)= .30 meters
B(x axis)= .40 meters

Layout:
Q1
.
.A
.
.
Q2--------Q3
B


Calculate:

Vector force F21 on Q1 due to Q2
Vector force F31 on Q1 due to Q3
Net Vector force F1 on Q1
Net electric field seen by Q1

Next to each of these questions is a F_x= x+ y
E (Net Electric Field)
The x and y's each have a carrot over them.

i know coulombs law comes into play here: F=k(q1q2)/(r²)


Any insight on this problem would be extremely welcome. I had to miss a week of class so I'm trying to learn this stuff on my own. Unfortunately i can't find it in my book.

Thank you. And I am glad i found this forum. I'm a physics major right now but probably transferring schools to go into meteorology. I'm sure this place will be a vital tool (hopefully not to just get help on homework problems)

Dan

 

[gneill]

Insights:

- The electric force acts along the line joining the two charges.
- Forces are vectors (so they have direction and magnitude, hence x and y components)
- Like-sign charges repel, unlike-sign charges attract.
- Forces sum (superposition property)

You'll need to determine the distance between the charge pairs being considered in order to calculate the magnitude of the force acting. The vector for the resulting force will lie along the line connecting the charges. The direction of the force along that line will depend upon the signs of the charges involved.