Math Problem Statement

A positively charged particle Q1 = 35 nC is held fixed at the origin. A negatively charged particle Q2 = -8 nC of mass m = 4.5 μg is located a distance d = 25 cm along the positive x-axis from the positively charged particle. What is the magnitude of the electric force in N that acts on Q2

Solution

To calculate the magnitude of the electric force acting on the negatively charged particle Q2Q_2, we can use Coulomb's Law, which describes the force between two point charges:

F=keQ1Q2r2F = \frac{{k_e |Q_1 Q_2|}}{{r^2}}

Where:

  • FF is the magnitude of the electric force.
  • kek_e is Coulomb's constant, which is approximately 8.99×109Nm2/C28.99 \times 10^9 \, \text{N} \cdot \text{m}^2/\text{C}^2.
  • Q1Q_1 and Q2Q_2 are the charges.
  • rr is the distance between the charges.

Given values:

  • Q1=35nC=35×109CQ_1 = 35 \, \text{nC} = 35 \times 10^{-9} \, \text{C}
  • Q2=8nC=8×109CQ_2 = -8 \, \text{nC} = -8 \times 10^{-9} \, \text{C}
  • r=d=25cm=0.25mr = d = 25 \, \text{cm} = 0.25 \, \text{m}

Substituting these values into Coulomb's Law:

F=(8.99×109)×(35×109)×(8×109)(0.25)2F = \frac{{(8.99 \times 10^9) \times |(35 \times 10^{-9}) \times (-8 \times 10^{-9})|}}{{(0.25)^2}}

First, calculate the product of the charges Q1Q2|Q_1 Q_2|:

Q1Q2=(35×109)×(8×109)=280×1018C2|Q_1 Q_2| = |(35 \times 10^{-9}) \times (-8 \times 10^{-9})| = 280 \times 10^{-18} \, \text{C}^2

Now substitute into the equation:

F=8.99×109×280×1018(0.25)2F = \frac{{8.99 \times 10^9 \times 280 \times 10^{-18}}}{{(0.25)^2}}

Now let's calculate the value:

F=8.99×109×280×10180.0625=2.5172×1070.0625=4.03×106NF = \frac{{8.99 \times 10^9 \times 280 \times 10^{-18}}}{{0.0625}} = \frac{{2.5172 \times 10^{-7}}}{{0.0625}} = 4.03 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{N}

Final answer:

The magnitude of the electric force acting on Q2Q_2 is:

F=4.03μNF = 4.03 \, \mu\text{N}

Would you like to go over any details, or do you have additional questions?

Here are some related questions:

  1. How does the direction of the force on Q2Q_2 depend on the signs of the charges?
  2. How does Coulomb's law change when the charges are in a vacuum versus another medium?
  3. What is the effect of increasing the distance between the two charges on the force?
  4. How would the force change if the charge Q2Q_2 were moved to the negative x-axis?
  5. What is the relationship between the electric force and the gravitational force on a particle of this mass?

Tip: Remember that the magnitude of the force between two charges is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them (this is the r2r^2 term in Coulomb's law).

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Coulomb's Law
Electric Force
Unit Conversion

Formulas

F = k_e * |Q1 * Q2| / r^2

Theorems

Coulomb's Law

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12