Two positive charges q1 = q2 = 2.0 μC are located at x = 0, y = 0.30 m and x = 0, y = -0.30 m, respectively. Third point charge Q = 4.0 μC is located at x = 0.40 m, y = 0.What is the net force ((a)magnitude and (b)direction) on charge q1 exerted by the other two charges?

The magnitude of the net force on q1 exerted by the other two charges is 0.357 N.

The direction of the net force on q1 is 50⁰.

The given parameters;

The force on q1 due to q2 occurs only in y-direction and can be calculated using Coulomb's law as shown below;

The force on q1 due to q3 occurs both in x-direction and y-direction, and it is calculated as follows;

The net force is calculated as follows;

The magnitude of the net force on q1 is calculated as follows;

The direction of the net force on q1 is calculated as follows;

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 F = 0.111015 N

Explanation:

For this exercise the force is given by Coulomb's law

        F = k q₁q₂ / r₂₁²

we calculate the electric force of the other two particles on the charge q1

Charges q₁ and q₂

the distance between them is

          r₁₂ = y₁ -y₂

          r₁₂ = 0.30 + 0.30

          r₁₂ = 0.60 m

let's calculate

          F₁₂ = 9 10⁹ 2 10⁻⁶ 2 10⁻⁶ / 0.60 2

          F₁₂ = 1 10⁻¹ N

directed towards the positive side of the y-axis

Charges 1 and 3

Let's find the distance using the Pythagorean Theorem

             r₁₃ = RA [(0.40-0) 2 + (0-0.30) 2]

             r₁₃ = 0.50 m

            F₁₃ = 9 10⁹ 2 10⁻⁶ 4 10⁻⁶ / 0.50²

            F₁₃ = 1.697 10⁻² N

The direction of this force is on the line that joins the two charges (1 and 3), let's use trigonometry to find the components of this force

           tan θ = y / x

           θ = tan⁻¹ y / x

          θ = tan⁻¹ 0.3 / 0.4

           tea = 36.87º

    The angle from the positive side of the x-axis is

         θ ’= 180 - θ

        θ ’= 180 - 36.87

        θ ’= 143.13º

       sin143.13 = F_13y / F₁₃

           F_13y = F₁₃ sin 143.13

           F{13y} = 1.697 10⁻² sin 143.13

           F_13y = 1.0183 10⁻² N

            cos 143.13 = F_13x / F₁₃

           F₁₃ₓ = F₁₃ cos 143.13

           F₁₃ₓ = 1.697 10⁻² cos 143.13

           F₁₃ₓ = -1.357 10-2 N

Now we can find the components of the resultant force

          Fx = F13x + F12x

          Fx = -1,357 10-2 +0

          Fx = -1.357 10-2 N

          Fy = F13y + F12y

         Fy = 1.0183 10-2 + 1 10-1

          Fy = 0.110183 N

We use the Pythagorean theorem to find the modulus

         F = Ra (Fx2 + Fy2)

         F = RA [(1.357 10-2) 2 + 0.110183 2]

         F = 0.111015 N

Let's use trigonometry for the angles

         tan tea = Fy / Fx

          tea = tan-1 (0.110183 / -0.01357)

          tea = 1,448 rad

to find the angle about the positive side of the + x axis

           tea '= pi - 1,448

           Tea = 1.6936 rad