Electric charge/Colombs law problems

In summary, the problem involves finding the coordinates for a third charged particle to be placed in an xy plane in order for the net electrostatic force on particle 2 to be zero. Using the equations for electrostatic force and the concept of equilibrium, a solution can be found by finding the center of charge of the system.
  • #1
RandellK02
7
0
I have a problem I am working on before the end of today and I am having some trouble getting the right answer. What am I missing?

1.

Homework Statement


The charges and coordinates of two charged particles held fixed in an xy plane are q1 = 3.11 μC, x1 = 5.72 cm, y1 = 0.703 cm and q2 = -6.23 μC, x2 = -1.59 cm, y2 = 2.45 cm. At what (a)x and (b)y coordinates should a third particle of charge q3 = 5.06 μC be placed such that the net electrostatic force on particle 2 due to particles 1 and 3 is zero?

Homework Equations


k=qQ/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution


q1=3.1 E-6 x:0.0572 m y:0.00703 m
q2=-6.23 E-6 x:-0.0159 y:0.0245 m
q3=5.06 E-6

First I find F1,2 for the x component:
F1,2x=kq1q2/d2
note:d=-0.0159 - 0.0572

Next I conclude for equilibrium @q2 q1x=q3x. Same for y component.

So to find X of q3...
F1,3x ==> F1,2x= kq1q3/x2

I assumed solving for X will give me the answer but its incorrect...
Similar process for the y component.
 
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  • #2
A thing to say--There's a much shorter method for this.You know the center of mass of system is point where all forces due to mass is zero.Same we can apply here as center of charge(though this method works BUT IT IS NOT OFFICIAL.DON'T USE THIS IN YOUR EXAMS) with same formula as center of mass just by replacing mass by charge(m1 by q1).
 

FAQ: Electric charge/Colombs law problems

What is electric charge?

Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electric field. It can be either positive or negative, and is measured in units of Coulombs (C).

What is the unit of electric charge?

The unit of electric charge is Coulombs (C), named after the French physicist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb. One Coulomb is defined as the amount of charge that flows through a conductor in one second when a current of one Ampere is applied.

What is Coulomb's law?

Coulomb's law is a fundamental law of electrostatics that describes the force between two electrically charged objects. It states that the force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

How do I calculate the force between two charged particles?

To calculate the force between two charged particles, you can use Coulomb's law formula: F = k * (q1 * q2)/r^2, where F is the force in Newtons (N), k is the Coulomb's constant (9x10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the charges of the particles in Coulombs (C), and r is the distance between them in meters (m).

What is the principle of superposition in electric charge problems?

The principle of superposition states that the total force on a charged particle is equal to the vector sum of the individual forces exerted by each charged particle in the system. This allows us to calculate the net force on a particle in a system of multiple charged objects by considering each pair of particles separately and adding up their individual forces.

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