Net Force on Three Collinear Charges

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Electrostatics Beginner Coulomb Law

Source: High school physics (Chinese)

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Electrostatics

Problem

Two charges, $q_1 = 1.0 \times 10^{-8}$ C and $q_2 = 2.0 \times 10^{-8}$ C, are separated by a distance $d = 1.0$ m in kerosene. A third charge, $q_3 = 3.0 \times 10^{-9}$ C, is placed on the line connecting them, at the midpoint.

  1. Find the magnitude and direction of the net force on each of the three charges.
  2. When calculating these forces, should the effect of kerosene be considered?

(Assuming vacuum for calculation) Net force on $q_1$: $2.88 \times 10^{-6}$ N, directed away from $q_2$ and $q_3$. Net force on $q_2$: $3.96 \times 10^{-6}$ N, directed away from $q_1$ and $q_3$. Net force on $q_3$: $1.08 \times 10^{-6}$ N, directed towards $q_1$. Conceptual answer: Yes, the effect of kerosene must be considered.

The calculations below are performed assuming a vacuum, as the dielectric constant for kerosene is not provided. Let $q_1$ be at $x=0$, $q_2$ at $x=1.0$ m, and $q_3$ at $x=0.5$ m. The distance from $q_1$ and $q_2$ to $q_3$ is $r = d/2 = 0.5$ m. All charges are positive, so all forces are repulsive.

Force on $q_3$: The force from $q_2$ ($F_{23}$) is stronger than from $q_1$ ($F_{13}$). The net force is directed towards $q_1$.

$$F_{net,3} = F_{13} - F_{23} = k\frac{q_1 q_3}{r^2} - k\frac{q_2 q_3}{r^2} = \frac{kq_3}{r^2}(q_1 - q_2)$$ $$F_{net,3} = \frac{(9.0 \times 10^9)(3.0 \times 10^{-9})}{(0.5)^2}(1.0 \times 10^{-8} - 2.0 \times 10^{-8}) = -1.08 \times 10^{-6} N$$

Force on $q_1$: Both $q_2$ and $q_3$ repel $q_1$ to the left.

$$F_{net,1} = -F_{21} - F_{31} = -k\frac{q_2 q_1}{d^2} - k\frac{q_3 q_1}{r^2}$$ $$F_{net,1} = -k q_1 \left( \frac{q_2}{d^2} + \frac{q_3}{r^2} \right) = -(9.0 \times 10^9)(1.0 \times 10^{-8})\left( \frac{2.0 \times 10^{-8}}{1^2} + \frac{3.0 \times 10^{-9}}{0.5^2} \right) = -2.88 \times 10^{-6} N$$

Force on $q_2$: Both $q_1$ and $q_3$ repel $q_2$ to the right.

$$F_{net,2} = F_{12} + F_{32} = k\frac{q_1 q_2}{d^2} + k\frac{q_3 q_2}{r^2}$$ $$F_{net,2} = k q_2 \left( \frac{q_1}{d^2} + \frac{q_3}{r^2} \right) = (9.0 \times 10^9)(2.0 \times 10^{-8})\left( \frac{1.0 \times 10^{-8}}{1^2} + \frac{3.0 \times 10^{-9}}{0.5^2} \right) = 3.96 \times 10^{-6} N$$

For [Q2], yes, the effect of kerosene (a dielectric medium) should be considered. It reduces the electrostatic force by a factor equal to its dielectric constant $\epsilon_r$. The forces calculated above would be smaller in kerosene.