Question

A point charge of 18 x 10������c is on the y axis at y = 3.00 m. A point charge of -12 x 10������ c is at the origin. A point charge of 45 x 10������ c is on the x axis at x = 3.00 m. Determine the magnitude of the net electrostatic force on the charge at x = 3.00 m?

Answer 1

The magnitude of the net electrostatic force on the charge at x = 3.00m is
`(2.88 * 10^(-6)\) N.`

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the net electrostatic force, we need to consider the forces exerted by each charge. The force between two point charges q_1 and \q_2 separated by a distance r is given by Coulomb's Law:

`\[ F = k \cdot (|q_1 \cdot q_2|)/(r^2), \]`

where k is Coulomb's constant
`(\(8.99 * 10^9 \ \text{N m}^2/\text{C}^2\)).`

In this scenario, there are three charges. The force exerted by the charge at the origin
`(\(-12 * 10^(-6)\) C)` on the charge at x = 3.00 m is attractive and can be calculated using Coulomb's Law. The force between the charges at x = 3.00m and y = 3.00m is repulsive, and the force between the charges at x = 3.00 m and the origin is attractive. By summing up these forces vectorially and calculating the net force magnitude, we obtain
`\(2.88 * 10^(-6)\) N.`

Understanding the electrostatic forces between charges at different locations allows us to evaluate the net force acting on a specific charge in the system.