Question

Particles q₁ = -66.3 μC, q2 = +108 μC, and

q3 = -43.2 μC are in a line. Particles q₁ and q2 are
separated by 0.550 m and particles q2 and q3 are
separated by 0.550 m. What is the net force on
particle q₂?
Remember: Negative forces (-F) will point Left
Positive forces (+F) will point Right

Answer 1

To calculate the net force on particle q₂, we need to consider the forces exerted by the other particles. The force between charged particles can be calculated using Coulomb's law:

F = (k * |q₁ * q₂|) / r²

Where:
F is the force between the particles,
k is the electrostatic constant (approximately 9 × 10^9 N m²/C²),
q₁ and q₂ are the magnitudes of the charges on the two particles, and
r is the separation between the particles.

Let's calculate the forces between q₁ and q₂ as well as q₂ and q₃ using the given values:

For q₁ and q₂:
F₁₂ = (9 × 10^9 N m²/C² * |-66.3 μC * 108 μC|) / (0.550 m)²

For q₂ and q₃:
F₂₃ = (9 × 10^9 N m²/C² * |108 μC * -43.2 μC|) / (0.550 m)²

To find the net force on q₂, we need to consider the direction of each force and add them up. Since q₁ and q₂ have opposite charges, the force F₁₂ will be negative (pointing left), and the force F₂₃ will be positive (pointing right).

Net force on q₂ = F₁₂ + F₂₃

Let's calculate the values: