18. A charge of -3.00 μC is fixed at the center of a compass. Two additional charges are fixed on the circle of the compass, which has a radius of 0.100 m. The charges on the circle are

-4.00 μC at the position due north and + 5.00 μC at the position due east. What are the magnitude and direction of the net electrostatic force acting on the charge at the center? Specify the direction relative to due east.

 

 

- sign due to same sign charges repel!

 

 

 

No sign because opposite charges attract!

 

 

So

 

 and  are perpendicular vectors so use Pythagorean theorem to add.

 

 

Angle relative to East will be South of East

 

 

 

 

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This page last updated on June 2, 2018