Question

A test charge of -3x10^-7 C is located 7 cm to the right of a charge of -9x10^-6 C and 20 cm to the left of a charge of +10x10^-6 C. The three charges lie on a straight line. Find the force on the test charge.

Answer 1

5.634 N rightwards

Step-by-step explanation:

qo = - 3 x 10^-7 C

q1 = - 9 x 10^-6 C

q2 = 10 x 10^-6 C

r1 = 7 cm = 0.07 m

r2 = 20 cm = 0.2 m

The force on test charge due to q1 is F1 which is acting towards right

According to the Coulomb's law

`F_(1)=(Kq_(1)q_(0))/(r_(1)^(2))`

F1 = (9 x 10^9 x 9 x 10^-6 x 3 x 10^-7) / (0.07 x 0.07)

F1 = 4.959 N rightwards

The force on test charge due to q2 is F1 which is acting towards right

According to the Coulomb's law

`F_(2)=(Kq_(2)q_(0))/(r_(2)^(2))`

F2 = (9 x 10^9 x 10 x 10^-6 x 3 x 10^-7) / (0.2 x 0.2)

F2 = 0.675 N rightwards

Net force on the test charge

F = F1 + F2 = 4.959 + 0.675 = 5.634 N rightwards