Question 1 (13 marks) A charge Q is located on the top-left corner of a square. Charges of 2Q, 3Q and 4Q are located on the other corners as shown above in the Figure. Assuming each side of the square is 5cm in length, and the charge Q= 2.5 µC, determine the net force exerted on the 2Q charge due to the other charges.

Explanation:

First of all we shall calculate electric field near charge 2Q .

electric field due to charge Q = K x Q /  (5 x 10⁻² )²

E₁  = KQ / 25 x 10⁻⁴ = KQ x 10⁴ / 25 . It is acting along positive x axis

E₁  = KQ x 10⁴  i / 25  

Similarly electric field due to charge 3Q near 2Q

=  3KQ x 10⁴  i / 25 . It is acting along y-axis

E₂ = 3KQ x 10⁴  j / 25

Similarly electric field due to charge 4Q near 2Q

=  4KQ x 10⁴  j / (25 x 2 )

= 2 KQ x 10⁴  / 25 . It is acting acting along north east direction

unit vector in north east direction = ( i + j )/ √2

So E₃ can be represented by

E₃ = 2 KQ x 10⁴  ( i + j )  / 25 x √2

Total field =  KQ x 10⁴  i / 25 + 3KQ x 10⁴  j / 25 + 2 KQ x 10⁴  ( i + j )  / ( 25 x √2 )

= KQ x 10⁴  [ i + 3 j + √2 i + √2 j ) / 25

= 400 KQ ( 2.414 i + 4.414 j )  N / C

Force on 2Q = Field x charge = 400 KQ ( 2.414 i + 4.414 j )  x 2Q  N

= 800 KQ² ( 2.414 i + 4.414 j ) N

= 800 x 9 x 10⁹ x ( 2.5 x 10⁻⁶ )² x 2.414 x ( i + 2 j ) N

= 108.63 ( i + 2 j ) N .

Magnitude of this force

= 108.63 x √5

= 243 N approx .

hi there!

out of the two, (b) precision would be more reasonable.   however, both a and b could be pretty reasonable.

-awesomerepublic   : )