Question

Please help. I can’t figure out how to solve this with quad formula

15 GThe charges and coordinates of two charged particles held fixed in an xy plane are q1-+3.0 C, x1-3.5 cm, yi 0.50 cm, and q,--40 μC, x2--20 cm, y2 = 1.5 cm. Find the (a) magni- tude and (b) direction of the electrostatic force on particle 2 due to particle 1. At what (c) x and (d) y coordinates should a third parti- cle of charge q,-+4.0 μC be placed such that the net electrostatic force on particle 2 due to particles 1 and 3 is zero?

Answer 1

Ans. a) Using Coulomb's law, we get the magnitude of the force, The force on the particle 2 is along the line joining the two charges.

b) To get the direction of the force on the particle 2 due to 1 we use trigonometric identities.

c) The particles must be collinear for the particle 2 be in equilibrium. The particle 2 has a negative charge and will be attracted by both charges. So the particle 1 and particle 3 must be on the opposite side of particle 2.