Question

A point charge, Q1 = 12.0 C, is placed at the origin (0 cm, 0 cm) and a second charge, Q2, is placed at the coordinates (4.00 cm, 0 cm). A third charge, Q3 = 15.00 C, is placed at (5.0 cm, 0 cm). The force on Q3 is F⃑ = −20.0 N î. What is the value and sign of Q2?

Answer 1

q₂ = -4.80 10⁻⁴ C = - 0.48 mC, charge is negative

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's use coulomb's law

F =
`k (q_1 q_2)/(r^2)`

and the sum of forces, remember that charges of the same sign repel and of different sign attract

∑ F = F₁₃ + F₂₃ (1)

Let's start by fixing a reference system located at charge 1 with the positive direction to the right. In the problem it indicates that the net force on charge 3 is F = - 20.0 N, the negative sign indicates that the force is towards the left

let's look for every force, the charge q₁ = 12 10-⁻³ C and q₃ = 15 10⁻³ C

F₁₃ =
`k (q_1 q_3)/(x_(13)^2)`

F₁₃ = 9 10⁹ 12.0 15.0 10⁻⁶ / (5-0)²

F₁₃ = 64.8 10 3 N

This force is repulsive, that is, it is directed to the right

F₂₃ = k \frac{q_2 q_3}{x_{23}^2}

F₂₃ = 9 10⁹ q₂ 15.0 10⁻³ / (5-4)²

F₂₃ = 135 10⁶ q₂ N

we substitute in equation 1

-20.0 = 64.8 10³ + 135 10⁶ q₂

q₂ = (-20 - 64.8 10³) / 135 10⁶

q₂ = -4.80 10⁻⁴ C

the sign indicates that the charge is negative