Question

Four point-like charges are placed as shown in the figure, three of them are at the corners and one at the center of a square, 32.0 cm on each side. Find the magnitude of the net electrostatic force exerted on the point charge q 2 2. Let q 1 1 = q 3 3 = +24.0 µC, q 2 2 = −26.0 µC, and q 4 4 = −34.0 µC.

Answer 1

Step 1 of 7

To find the magnitude of the net electrostatic force exerted on the point charge q2.

Step 2 of 7

Given, distance

  

  

  

we know that the Coulomb's constant =

Step 3 of 7

Let us consider the electrostatic force equation given by,

....(1)

Now, to find the total force exerted on q2, let us calculate three seperate forces.

Step 4 of 7

So, the force exerted by on is,

....(2)

on susbstituting the values we get,

Step 5 of 7

The force exerted by on is,

....(3)

on susbstituting the values we get,

Step 6 of 7

The force exerted by on is,

....(4)

on susbstituting the values we get,

Step 7 of 7

Hence, the magnitude of the electrostatic force is the sum of all forces,

on substituting the values we get,