three charges are located at the vertices of a triangle, as shown. which vector best represents the net…
three charges are located at the vertices of a triangle, as shown. which vector best represents the net force acting on the +4 c charge in the diagram? +5 c +4 c w x y +10 c o w o x o y o z
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Determine force directions
Like - charges repel. The +5 C charge repels the +4 C charge, and the +10 C charge also repels the +4 C charge.
Step2: Analyze net - force direction
The force due to the +10 C charge is larger in magnitude (since force is proportional to the product of charges according to Coulomb's law $F = k\frac{q_1q_2}{r^2}$) and acts along the line connecting the +10 C and +4 C charges. The force due to the +5 C charge acts along the line connecting the +5 C and +4 C charges. The net force will be in a direction that is a combination of the two repulsive forces. Since the +10 C charge has a stronger effect, the net - force will be more in the direction away from the +10 C charge. Among the given vectors, vector X best represents the direction of the net force.
Answer:
X