Force Due to Two Charges, Example

Question: Three charges are located as shown in the figure. What is the force (magnitude and direction) on the 25 mC charge?


Answer: You have to add the forces as vectors. Both forces on the 25 mC charge have a magnitude given by

F = (9.0·109)(25.0·10-6)(-5.0·10-6)/(5.0)2 = -0.045 N

You have to add them as vectors knowing that that triangle is equilateral and that q = 30°. The x-component of the resulting vector is zero but the y-component is 2Fcosq = 2·0.045·cos 30° = 0.078 N downward.

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