Question

Three charged particles are placed at the corners of an isoceles triangle with two sides of length A = 2.00 m and one side of length B = 1.20 m . The charges are Q1 = +22 µC, Q2 = -30.0 µC, and Q3 = +14 µC. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the net force on Q1 due to the other two.

http://www.webassign.net/userimages/Isoceles.JPG?db=v4net&id=160662

Answer 1

Q1 and Q2 tend to attract each other because they are unlike charges and Q3 prevent them on doing that because it is a positive charge that impedes the attraction of the two... the net force on Q1 tends to move in the direction of Q2 and Q3...

Answer 2

can use of Law of Cosine or Sine to solve the Force components... and apply adding of forces considering vertical component to see the effect of the net force...

Answer 3

Can you show me the equation?

Answer 4

ok let's start with the forces, you already know how to get those forces?

Answer 5

Using Coulumb's law?

Answer 6

yup

Answer 7

let's just assign Force notation such as...
\(F_{13}\)= force between Q1 and Q3
\(F_{12}\)= force between Q1 and Q2
\(F_{23}\)= force between Q2 and Q3

Answer 8

Do I add them up?

Answer 9

You cannot simply add them, their components must be considered... the isosceles triangle formation can help us determine the individual components...

Answer 10

So x and y components for each force?

Answer 11

yup...