Problem 22.18 Part A What is the net electric force on charge B in (Figure 1) ?

Question

Problem 22.18

Part A

What is the net electric force on charge B in (Figure 1) ? Suppose that a = 2.1 cm and b = 1.0 cm.

Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units. Enter negative value if the force is directed downward and positive value if the force is directed upward.

Problem 22.18

Part A

What is the net electric force on charge B in (Figure 1) ? Suppose that a = 2.1 cm and b = 1.0 cm.

Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units. Enter negative value if the force is directed downward and positive value if the force is directed upward.

Explanation / Answer

SOLUTION:
FAonB= K|qAqB| / [a]2 = 1/[40]|(-1.0 nC)(-2.0 nC)| / [2.1cm]2 = 9.022×10-3N
FConB= K|qCqB| / 2= 1/[40]|(2.0 nC)(-2.0 nC)| / [1.0cm]2 = 1.98×10-2N

FNETonB = FAonB + FConB = 9.022×10-3N + 1.98×10-2N = 2.90×10-2N

Part B:
What is the direction of the net electric force on charge B in the figure?

SOLUTION:
In the previous part, we determined the magnitude of the net force on charge B
However we must also determine the direction of the force

((-)A) ((+)B) ((+)C)
FAonB is a negative charge pushing the negative charge down
FConB is a positive charge pulling the negative charge down

So

That force is directed down

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