Question

Three point charges are located along the x-axis: q1 = +5.0 μC is at 20 cm, q2 = +4.0 μC is at 0 cm, and q3 = +10.0 μC is at –30 cm. What is the electrostatic force exerted on q2 by q1?

Answer 1

Given,

The charges are:

`q_1=5.0\mu C\text{ at x=20 }cm`
`q_2=4.0\mu C\text{ at x=0 }cm`
`q_3=10\mu C\text{ at x=-30 }cm`

The distancce between q1 and q2 is 20 cm

Thus,

The force on q2 due to q1 is:

`F=k(5*4)/(20^2)=8.9*10^9*(20)/(20^2)=0.00045C`