Question

Particles 1 and 2 of charge q1 = q2 = +3.20 × 10−19 C are on a y axis at distance d = 17.0 cm from the origin. Particle 3 of charge q3 = +6.40 × 10−19 C is moved gradually along the x axis from x = 0 to x = +5.0 m. At what values of x will the magnitude of the electrostatic force on the third particle from the other two particles be (a) minimum and (b) maximum? What are the (c) minimum and (d) maximum magnitudes?

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) 0.17 m

(b) 5.003 m

(c) 6.38 × $10^{-26}$ N

(d) 7.37 ×$10^{-29}$ N

Explanation:

(a) The minimum value of $x$ will occur when q3 = 0 m or at origin and q1, q2 are at 0.17 m so the distance between q3 and q1, q2 is 0.17 m, therefore the minimum value of x= 0.17 m.

(b) The maximum value of x will occur when q3 = 5 m because it is said in the question that 5 is the maximum distance travelled by q3. To find the hypotenuse i.e. the distance between q3 and q1,q2, we use Pythagoras theorem.

$h^{2} = b^{2} + p^{2}$

$h^{2} = 5^{2} + 0.17^{2} \\h = \sqrt{} 25.03\\h= 5.002 m$

Hence, the maximum distance is 5.002 m

(c) For minimum magnitude we use the minimum distance calculated in (a)

Minimum Distance = 0.17 m

For electrostatic force=     $F=\frac{kq1q2}{x^{2} }$

$F=\frac{9 x 10^{9} x3.2x10^{-19}x 6.4x10^{-19} }{0.17^{2} }$

$F= 6.38$×$10^{-26} N$

(d) For maximum magnitude, we use the maximum distance calculated in (b)

Maximum Distance = 5.002 m

Using the formula for electrostatic force again:

F =  $\frac{9x10^{9}x3.2x10^{-19}x6.4x10^{-19} }{5.002^{2} } }$

F= 7.37×$10^{-29$ N