Final answer:
To calculate the total force on the y-component of the electric charge, consider the y-components of the electric field at y = 3 m and the y-components due to the charges on the triangle's diagonal. Use trigonometry to find the y-components of the electric field due to each charge, and calculate the net force taking into account the direction of the force.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the total force on the y-component of the electric charge, we need to consider the forces exerted by each component separately and then add them together. In this question, the net force on the charge at the lower right-hand corner of the triangle can be calculated by considering the y-components of the electric field.
First, we need to determine the y-components of the electric field at y = 3 m. The problem states that the x-components cancel out and the y-components give E(y = 3 m) = 2.83 × 10³ N/C.
Next, we need to compute the contribution to the y-component from both charges 24 cm apart. The y-axis passing through the third charge bisects the 24-cm line, creating two right triangles of sides 5, 12, and 13 cm. We can use trigonometry to find the y-components of the electric field due to each charge, and then calculate the net force, taking into account the direction (attractive or repulsive) of the force.