Question

Three charges lie along the ×−axis. One charge, q1 = −12 μC is at the origin. Another charge, q2 = 24 μC is at × = 1.0 m. A third charge, q3 = −36 μC, is placed so that q2 is in electrostatic equilibrium with q1 and q3. How large must the electrostatic force between q2 and q3 be to balance the force of q1 and q2?

(A) 44.064 μN
(B) -44.064 μN
(C) 88.128 μN
(D) -88.128 μN

Answer 1

To balance the force of q1 and q2, the force between q2 and q3 must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. The force between q2 and q3 can be calculated using Coulomb's Law.

Step-by-step explanation:

To balance the force of q1 and q2, the force between q2 and q3 must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. The electrostatic force between two charges can be calculated using Coulomb's Law:

F = k * |q1 * q2| / r^2

where F is the force, k is the electrostatic constant, q1 and q2 are the charges, and r is the distance between the charges. In this case, q2 and q3 should have equal magnitude but opposite signs. The force between q2 and q3 can be calculated using the given charges and the distance between them.

The correct answer is (C) 88.128 μN.