Two point charges are on the x-axis. One charge, q₁ = 10.0 nC, is located at the origin, and the other charge, q₂ = 18.0 nC, is located at x = 9.00 m. What is the force on q₂? A) 20.0 nN in the positive x-direction B) 20.0 pN in the positive x-direction C) 20.0 nN in the negative x-direction D) 20.0 pN in the negative x-direction E) 180 nN in the positive x-direction

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The force on q2 is given by Coulomb's law:$$F = k\frac{q_1q_2}{r^2}$$where k is Coulomb's constant, q1 and q2 are the charges, and r is the distance between them.Plugging in the values given in the problem, we get:$$F = (9	imes10^9 \frac{Nm^2}{C^2})\frac{(10	imes10^{-9}C)(18	imes10^{-9}C)}{(9.00 m)^2}$$$$F = 20.0 nN$$The force is in the positive x-direction because q1 is positive and q2 is negative.

Two Point Charges Are on the X-Axis