Question

Three charges are positioned on the y-axis. The first charge, q1, has a magnitude of 9.0 μC and is located at y = 3.0 m. The second charge, q2, has a magnitude of -19 μC and is positioned at the origin (y = 0). The third charge, q3, also has a magnitude of 9.0 μC. To achieve electrostatic equilibrium, the electrostatic force between q2 and q3 must balance the force between q1 and q3. What is the magnitude of the electrostatic force between q2 and q3 that is required to maintain this equilibrium?

Answer 1

To achieve electrostatic equilibrium, the electrostatic force between q2 and q3 must balance the force between q1 and q3. The magnitude of the electrostatic force between q2 and q3 required to maintain this equilibrium is 171 N.

Step-by-step explanation:

To achieve electrostatic equilibrium, the electrostatic force between q2 and q3 must balance the force between q1 and q3. Since the forces between like charges are repulsive and opposite charges are attractive, the force between q2 and q3 must be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the force between q1 and q3. The magnitude of the electrostatic force between q2 and q3 that is required to maintain this equilibrium can be calculated using Coulomb's Law:

F = k(q1q2/d^2)

where k is the electrostatic constant (9.0 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the magnitudes of the charges, and d is the distance between the charges. Plugging in the values, we get:

F = (9.0 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2)(-19 μC)(9.0 μC)/(1.0 m)^2

Simplifying the expression, we find that the magnitude of the electrostatic force between q2 and q3 required to maintain equilibrium is 171 N.