Now let’s apply Coulomb’s law and the superposition principle to calculate the f

Question

Now let’s apply Coulomb’s law and the superposition principle to calculate the force on a point charge due to the presence of other nearby charges. Two point charges are located on the positive x axis of a coordinate system. Charge q1=3.0nC is 2.0 cm from the origin, and charge q2 = -8.0 nC is 4.0 cm from the origin. What is the total force (magnitude and direction) exerted by these two charges on a third point charge q3=5.0nC located at the origin?

In the same example, what is the magnitude of the force exerted on q1 by q2 and q3?

Explanation / Answer

force on q3 by

q1=K*q1*q3/0.02^2=3.375*10^(-4) (toward -x )

q2=K*q2*q3/0.04^2=2.25*10^(-4)(toward +x)

net force=1.125*10^(-4) toward -x

force on q1 by

q3=K*q1*q3/0.02^2=3.375*10^(-4) (toward +x )

q2=K*q2*q1/0.02^2=5.4*10^(-4)(toward +x)

net force=8.775*10^(-4) toward +x

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