Total electric force on a particle in an equilatteral triangle

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SUMMARY

The total electric force on a 7.00µC charge located at the corners of an equilateral triangle with charges of 2.00µC and -4.00µC can be calculated using Coulomb's law. The distances between the charges are all 0.500 meters. It is essential to treat the forces as vectors to determine the net force accurately, incorporating basic trigonometry in the calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Coulomb's law for electric force calculations
  • Vector addition for net force determination
  • Basic trigonometry for angle calculations
  • Understanding of electric charge units (microcoulombs)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study vector addition in physics for net force calculations
  • Learn advanced applications of Coulomb's law in different configurations
  • Explore electric field concepts related to point charges
  • Investigate the effects of charge polarity on force direction
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in electrostatics and force calculations in charged particle systems.

poipoipoi
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Three charged particles are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle. Calculate the total electric force on the 7.00µC charge.
The three charges are: 7.00µC, 2.00µC, and -4.00µC and they are all 0.500 meters apart. Here's a graphic of the layout:
http://gyazo.com/34786cc28a37e5b918db63a7e9d6f8c2.png

I know I have to use Coulomb's law but am having trouble coming up with the answer.
 
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poipoipoi said:
I know I have to use Coulomb's law but am having trouble coming up with the answer.

Yes, use Coulomb's law to calculate the forces. Just don't forget to treat them as vectors when calculating the net force. There's some basic trigonometry involved so it shouldn't be a problem.
 

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