Question

Three point charges are located on the positive x-axis of a coordinate system. charge q1 = 1.5 nc is 2.0 cm from the origin, charge q2 = -3.5 nc is 4.0 cm from the origin and charge q3 = 4.5 nc located at the origin. what is the net force ((a)magnitude and (b) direction) on charge q1 = 1.5 nc exerted by the other two charges?]

Answer 1

Force on charge q1 due to q2

`F_1 = (kq_1q_2)/(r^2)`

`F_1 = (9*10^9 * 1.5 * 10^(-9)* 3.5 * 10^(-9))/((0.04 - 0.02)^2)`

`F_1 = 1.18 * 10^(-4) N` towards right

Force on charge q1 due to q3

`F_2 = (kq_1q_3)/(r^2)`

`F_2 = (9*10^9 * 1.5 * 10^(-9)* 4.5 * 10^(-9))/(( 0.02)^2)`

`F_2 = 1.52 * 10^(-4) N` towards right

Now the total force on charge q1 is given as

`F = F_1 + F_2`

`F = 1.52 * 10^(-4) + 1.18 * 10^(-4)`

`F = 2.7 * 10^(-4) N`

Direction is towards + x or towards right