Net electric force of multiple charged particles in 3-d space

In summary, the conversation involved drawing a graph to represent forces acting on two particles, dividing the forces into x and y components, and computing the resulting values. There was some discussion about the direction and magnitude of the forces, with the final conclusion being that the calculated values were correct. The conversation ended with thanks and appreciation for the help provided.
  • #1
Edel Crine
89
12
Homework Statement
An xyz coordinate system contains three charged particles: particle 1, q1=-5.0 muC, at (4.0m,-2.0m,0); particle 2, q2=12 muC, at (1.0m, 2.0m, 0); and an electron at (-1.0m,0,0).
(a) Draw a diagram showing the vectors you need in order to determine the direction of the separate electric forces exerted on the electron by particles 1 and 2.
(b) Calculate the vector sum of these two forces.
Relevant Equations
f=k((q1*q2)/r^2)*unit vector r
I draw the graph like this:
234.png

For (b), I divided each force vector to e from p1 and p2 as x and y parts.
1.png

I computed them and got
Fx=-4.608*10^(-15)N
Fy=-2.52*10^(-15)N

However, I am not sure whether I did it correctly or not...
I appreciate every help from all of you!
Thank you!
 

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Last edited:
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  • #2
You missed out a chunk of your working, and I don't have time to check your final result right now, but I notice the directions of the arrows in your diagram. Are these intended to represent the directions in which the forces will act? Note that the two particles are oppositely charged.
 
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  • #3
Just redraw the graph,
234.png

Then I got,
Fx=4.032*10^(-15)N
Fy=6.12*10^(-15)N
 
  • #4
Edel Crine said:
Just redraw the graph,
View attachment 269790
Then I got,
Fx=4.032*10^(-15)N
Fy=6.12*10^(-15)N
I get somewhat smaller numbers. Please post your detailed working.
 
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  • #5
haruspex said:
I get somewhat smaller numbers. Please post your detailed working.
Just got new values:
Fx=1.297*10^(-15)N
Fy=1.620*10^(-15)N
2.png
 
  • #6
Edel Crine said:
Just got new values:
Fx=1.297*10^(-15)N
Fy=1.620*10^(-15)N
View attachment 269793
Those numbers look about the right magnitude. What about direction?
 
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  • #7
haruspex said:
Those numbers look about the right magnitude. What about direction?
You may have missed my edit re direction.
 
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  • #8
haruspex said:
Those numbers look about right.
Your are the best teacher always! I appreciate all your help in my questions! I really hope you have a nice day!
 
  • #9
haruspex said:
You may have missed my edit re direction.
You mean the arctan(Fy/Fx) maybe...?
 
  • #10
Edel Crine said:
You mean the arctan(Fy/Fx) maybe...?
No, I mean the signs on Fx and Fy.
 
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  • #11
I think I got
Fx= +1.297*10^(-15)N
Fy= +1.620*10^(-15)N
 
  • #12
Edel Crine said:
I think I got
Fx= +1.297*10^(-15)N
Fy= +1.620*10^(-15)N
Good.
 
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  • #13
haruspex said:
Good.
Again, thank you sooooooooo much!
 

FAQ: Net electric force of multiple charged particles in 3-d space

What is the net electric force?

The net electric force is the sum of all the individual electric forces acting on a charged particle in a given system.

How is the net electric force calculated for multiple charged particles in 3-d space?

The net electric force can be calculated by using Coulomb's Law, which states that the force between two charged particles is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

What factors affect the net electric force of multiple charged particles?

The net electric force is affected by the magnitude of the charges of the particles, the distance between them, and the direction of the forces (whether they are attractive or repulsive).

Can the net electric force be zero?

Yes, the net electric force can be zero if the individual electric forces cancel each other out. This can happen if the charges are arranged in a way that the forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

Is the net electric force always attractive?

No, the net electric force can be either attractive or repulsive depending on the charges of the particles involved. Like charges (positive and positive or negative and negative) will repel each other, while opposite charges (positive and negative) will attract each other.

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