Electrostatics - Magnitude and direction of electric force

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the electric force on a +2.0x10^-6 charge using the formula F = kq1q2/r^2. The user attempted to calculate the force but arrived at a value of 0.23625, which did not match the provided answers. Clarifications were made regarding the need to consider the forces exerted by both adjacent charges on the middle charge, rather than just one. The importance of determining the net force from both sides was emphasized to arrive at the correct solution. Accurate calculations and consideration of all forces acting on the charge are essential for solving the problem correctly.
Inertialforce
Messages
67
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement


What are the magnitude and direction of the electric force on the +2.0x10^-6 charge shown in the diagram (included in the attachment)?


Homework Equations


F = kq1q2/r^2


The Attempt at a Solution


I used the Ep = kq1q2/r^2 equation and plugged in the numbers but didn't get any of the provided answers and I was just wondering what I was doing wrong?

What I did was:
F= kq1q2/r^2
F= (9.00x10^9)l(-6.0x10^-6)(-7.0x10^-6)l/(4.0)^2 [note: l l here means absolute value]
F= 0.23625

the answer I got was that, but it matches up with none of the provided answers?
 

Attachments

Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org


Inertialforce said:
What I did was:
F= kq1q2/r^2
F= (9.00x10^9)l(-6.0x10^-6)(-7.0x10^-6)l/(4.0)^2 [note: l l here means absolute value]
F= 0.23625
:confused: Not sure what you did here, since you were asked to find the force on the +2.0x10^-6 charge (the middle charge).

What force does the left charge exert on the middle charge?
What force does the right charge exert on the middle charge?

What's the net force on the middle charge?
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
9K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
6K