Three point charges are placed on the x-axis. A charge of +2.0 μC is placed at the origin, -2.0 μC to the right at x = 50 cm, and +4.0 μC at the 100 cm mark. What are the magnitude and direction of the electrostatic force which acts on the charge at the origin?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The forces due to the charges at 50 cm and 100 cm need to be calculated separately and then summed. The force due to the -2.0 μC charge at 50 cm is attractive and to the right, while the force due to the +4.0 μC charge at 100 cm is repulsive and also to the right. The net force is 0.072 N to the right.

Three Point Charges Are Placed on the X-Axis