Understanding Forces and Electric Potential

AI Thread Summary
To determine when forces cancel out, it's essential to analyze the direction of the forces acting on a charge. Drawing a force diagram helps visualize the forces; if the arrows representing the forces point in the same direction, they cannot cancel each other. Understanding the relationship between the forces and their directions is crucial for solving problems related to electric potential. The discussion emphasizes the importance of visual representation in grasping the concept of force cancellation. Ultimately, a clear understanding of force direction is key to solving related physics problems effectively.
Shaunzio
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Homework Statement


So here is the problem:
http://i.imgur.com/IlklC.png"

I already know the answers but I can't figure out why it is the case. How do you know when the forces cancel out?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



The answers should be:
a) 1,2
b)None
c) No
d) yes
 
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Hi Shaunzio! :wink:
Shaunzio said:
How do you know when the forces cancel out?

draw a forces diagram …

assume there's a positive charge at the point, and draw two arrows to show the direction of the forces on it …

if the arrows are in the same direction, then they can't cancel! :smile:
 
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