PHYS 2212

Recitation 01

Solution
Week of August 29

Example
Two particles, each with charge Q, are fixed at opposite corners of a
square. Two more particles, each with charge q, are fixed at the other
two corners. If the net force on one of the particles with charge Q is zero,
find Q in terms of q.

Use Coulombs Law. Choose a coordinate system. Let the length of each side be s. With
a coordinate system chosen as shown the particle with charge Q in the upper left exerts
a force in the negative x direction on the particle with charge Q in the lower right. The
magnitude is
KQQ
KQ2
FQ on Q = 2
= ( )2
rQ to Q
s 2
Each particle with charge q exerts a force on the particle with charge Q in a direction 45
from the positive x axis. The two x components of these forces must, together, balance
the force from the other particle with charge Q.
(
2

KQq
cos 45
s2

KQ2
= ( )2
s 2

Solve for Q:

2KQq
s2

( )
2
KQ2
=
2
2s2

KQq 2
KQ2
2
=

Q
=
2q
s2
2s2
Since the relationship between the forces was about magnitudes, this is just the relationship
between the charge magnitudes. The force between Q and Q must be attractive if it is to
balance the repulsive force between the two Qs. Thus, Q and q must be of opposite sign.

Q = 2q 2

PHYS 2212
Recitation 01

Solution
Week of August 29

Problem
Two point particles with charges +q and +4q are separated by a distance d. A third
particle with charge Q is to be placed so the entire system of three particles is in static
equilibrium. Where should the third particle be placed, and what is its charge Q?
Use Coulombs Law. Let the particle with
charge Q be at a distance x from the particle
with charge +4q. If the entire system is to be
in equilibrium, each particle must also be in
equilibrium.
By inspection, Q must be negative, and the particle carrying it must lie on the line between
the other particles. (The particle with charge Q must a positive force on particle with
charge +4q in the positive x direction, and exert a negative force the particle with charge +q
in the negative x direction. Only a negatively charged particle between the two positively
charged particles can do that.)
The net force on the particle with charge Q must be zero. In terms of magnitudes, then,
K (4q) (Q)
K (q) (Q)
=
2
2
x
(d x)

4
1
=
2
2
x
(d x)

4 (d x) = x2

Thats a quadratic in x.
4d 8dx + 4x = x
2

So

8d

3x 8dx + 4d = 0
2

x=

8d

(8d) 4 (3) (4d2 )

2 (3)

64d2 48d2
8d 4d
=
x = 2d or
6
6
But x = 2d wouldnt be between the other charges, so
x=

x = 2d/3

x = 2d/3
Now that the position of the particle carrying charge Q is known, consider the particle
with charge +4q. The net force on it must be zero, too. In terms of magnitudes
K (4q) (Q)
(2d/3)

K (4q) (q)
d2

9Q
q
= 2
2
4d
d

Q = 4q/9

Remember that is a magnitude. It has already been decided that Q must be negative, so
Q = 4q/9