A - 4.0-µC charge is located 0.45 m to the left of a + 6.0-µC charge. What is the magnitude and direction (to the right or to the left) of the electrostatic force on the positive charge?

Question

Nataly Ingram

Physics

13 May, 14:06

A - 4.0-µC charge is located 0.45 m to the left of a + 6.0-µC charge. What is the magnitude and direction (to the right or to the left) of the electrostatic force on the positive charge?

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Answers (1)

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Aylin Bird · Answer 1

Attraction (right?), so the + charge will try to go to the - charge. Force on + charge will be directed towards left. The magintude is Coulomb's law:

F = k * Q1*Q2/d^2, K = 9*10^9, Q1 = - 4*10^ (-6), Q2 = 6*10^ (-6), and d = 0.45

-9*4*6*10^ (-3) / 0.45^2 = - 1.0633 N, but check it (sign means attractive).

Some teachers prefer to say that magnitude is always positive, like in math, so 1.0633 N but then say attractive and directed to the left of the + charge, to make sure no one can complain you miss anything! Ask your teacher