Question

Three point charges are positioned on the x axis. If the charges and corresponding positions are +32 µC at x = 0, +20 µC at x = 40 cm, and –60 µC at x = 60 cm, what is the magnitude of the electrostatic force on the +32-µC charge? * 48

Answer 1

Fnet = 12 N

Step-by-step explanation:

Force on a point charge due to another point charge = kq1q2 / d^2

Force on +32uC = due to + 20uC + due to -60uC

where uC = 1 x 10^-6 C and k = 9 x 10^9 N m^2 / C^2

Net Force =

`= (1)/(4\pi \epsilon _0) [(32 * 10^-^6 *60*10^-^6)/((60/100)^2)-(32 * 10^-^6 *20*10^-^6)/( (40/100)^2) ]`

`F_(net)=9 *10^9* 10^-^1^2[(32*60*10^4)/(60*60) -(32*20*10^4)/(40*40) ]`

`=90[32((80-60)/(60* 80) )]\\\\=90*32*0.004167\\\\=12N`

Fnet = 12 N