Question

Rank the six combinations of electric charges on the basis of the electric force acting on q1.

a.
q1= +1nC
q2= -1nc
q3= -1nc

b.
q1= -1nC
q2= +1nc
q3= +1nc

c.
q1= +1nC
q2= +1nc
q3= +1nc

d.
q1= +1nC
q2= +1nc
q3= -1nc

e.
q1= -1nC
q2= -1nc
q3= -1nc

f.
q1= +1nC
q2= -1nc
q3= +1nc

Answer 1

Largest; options A & B

2nd largest; Option F

3rd Largest; Option D

Smallest; Options E & C

Step-by-step explanation:

Looking at the charges, basically, the net force of the charge q1 is the sum of charges q2 and q3.

When 2 charges are opposite, the force will be attractive but if they are same, then the force will be repulsive.

Thus, the order of the forces is;

I) Largest: q1= +1nC, q2= -1nc, q3= -1nc and (q1= -1nC, q2= +1nc, q3= +1nc)

II) Second largest is: q1= +1nC, q2= -1nc, q3= +1nc

III) Third largest: q1= +1nC, q2= +1nc, q3= -1nc

IV) Smallest: (q1= -1nC, q2= -1nc, q3= -1nc) and (q1= +1nC, q2= +1nc, q3= +1nc)