Three point charges are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle as in

Question

Three point charges are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle as in the figure below. Find the magnitude and direction of the net electric force on the 1.60 C charge. (Let A = 1.60 C, B = 7.30 C, and

C = 4.34 C.)

magnitude    
Your response is within 10% of the correct value. This may be due to roundoff error, or you could have a mistake in your calculation. Carry out all intermediate results to at least four-digit accuracy to minimize roundoff error. N direction     k -XX"x-)x-* )#7 *

Explanation / Answer

FBA is the force of B on A
FBA = 8.99E9 x 1.6E-6 x 7.3E-6 / 0.5^2 = 0.42N (direction away from B)

FCA is the force of C on A. THIS LIES ON THE x-AXIS!!!!
FCA = 8.99E9 x 1.6E-6 x -4.34E-6 / 0.5^2 = -0.2497N (direction towards C)

x-component of FBA = 0.42cos(60) = -0.21N (-x direction)
y-component of FBA = 0.42sin(60) = -0.364N (-y direction)

x-component of FCA = 0.2497N (+x direction)
y-component of FCA = 0

Total x component = -0.21 + 0.2497 = 0.0397N
Total y component = -0.364N

Resultant = sqrt(0.0397^2 + 0.364^2)
= 0.366N

Angle to the x axis = atan(-0.364/0.0397) = -83.78degrees (= 276.22degrees)

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