Three point charges are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle as in

Question

Three point charges are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle as in the figure below. Find the magnitude and direction of the net electric force on the 1.80 C charge. (Let A = 1.80 C, B = 6.70 C, and

C = 4.04 C.)

direction ____________

magnitude     __________ N

direction ____________

Three point charges are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle as in the figure below. Find the magnitude and direction of the net electric force on the 1.80 mu C charge.(Let A = 1.80 mu C, B = 6.70 mu C and C = -4.04 mu C)

Explanation / Answer

Given,

Qa = 1.80 x 10-6 C

Qb = 6.70 x 10-6 C

Qc = - 4.04 x 10-6 C

r = 0.500 m

The force between A and C is along the x-axis.

Force of B on A, FBA = (8.99 x 109) x (1.8 x 10-6)x (6.7 x 10-6) / 0.52 = 0.434 N (direction away from B)

Force of C on A, FCA = (8.99 x 109) x (1.8 x 10-6) x (-4.04 x 10-6) / 0.52 = - 0.262 N (direction towards C)

x-component of FBA = 0.434 cos(60) = -0.217 N (-x direction)
y-component of FBA = 0.434 sin(60) = -0.376 N (-y direction)

x-component of FCA = 0.262 N (+x direction)
y-component of FCA = 0

Total x component = -0.217 + 0.262 = 0.045 N
Total y component = -0.376 N

Resultant, F = (0.0452 + 0.3762) 1/2
F = 0.379 N

Angle to the x axis = tan-1(-0.376 / 0.045) = -83.18° (= 263.18°)

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