Solve Electric Field Problem: Find q1 and q2

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
3 replies · 4K views
NickPA
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Two point charges q1 and q2 are held in place 4.50 cm apart. Another point charge -1.75 mC of mass 4.50 g is initially located 3.00 cm from each of these charges (the figure ) and released from rest. You observe that the initial acceleration of -1.75 mC is 324 m/s^2 upward, parallel to the line connecting the two point charges

Find q1 and q2 ?

I attached a pic of my work.
 

Attachments

  • 21.76.jpg
    21.76.jpg
    26.5 KB · Views: 1,073
Physics news on Phys.org
Hello NickPA. Welcome to PF!

Your method of solution looks good. But I don't agree with your value of the angle ø. Also, in the problem statement the mass is given as 4.50 g whereas in your calculation you use 5.00 g. In the statement of the problem, Q is given in mC whereas in your calculation you use μC.
 
it is supposed to be 5 g. Bad copy and paste sorry. That seems to be the difference between my answer and the right answer. They (the book authors) are using cos, while i used sin, but should it not work?