The problem involves two charged particles located along the x-axis and a third particle on the y-axis. The goal is to determine the position of the third particle based on the electric force it experiences due to the other two particles.
Some participants have provided guidance on drawing diagrams and understanding force components, while others express confusion about the calculations and the relationship between the forces. There is an ongoing exploration of how to express the net force in terms of the unknown position of the third particle.
Participants note the challenge of determining the position of the third particle without complete clarity on the forces involved. There is a recognition that the x-components of the forces cancel out, leaving only the y-component to consider.
kuruman said:It's fine, but you really need to learn to use symbols instead of numbers. It's much easier, shorter and neater to write k instead of 9x109, q1 instead of 6x10-9, q3 instead of 2x10-9 and x instead of 0.03. The main reason for this is that it will be much easier to troubleshoot your algebra if something goes wrong. Anyway, now that you have the magnitude of force F1, can you write expressions for its x and y components?
You might find it easier if you put in a variable for the angle the electrostatic force makes to the x axis, θ say.boxybrownmd said:To write expressions for the x and y components, would I just move the y to the left hand side and get the expression for just y, and then do the same for x?