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Electric Forces and Fields

Problem C
EQULIBRIUM

PROBLEM
Three charges lie along the x-axis. One charge, q1 = –12 µC is at
the origin. Another charge, q2 = 24 µC is at x = 1.0 m. A third charge,
q3 = –36 µC, is placed so that q2 is in electrostatic equilibrium with
q1 and q3. How large must the electrostatic force between q2 and q3 be
to balance the force of q1 and q2?
SOLUTION
Given: q1 = −12 mC r1,2 = 1.0 m
q2 = 24 mC kC = 8.99 × 109 N•m2/C2
q3 = −36 mC
Unknown: r3,2 = ? F3,2 = ?

Diagram: y
q1 q2 x

x=0 x = 1.0 m
Choose the equation(s) or situation: To solve for the electrostatic force, r3,2 is
needed. To solve for r3,2, determine where q3 must be placed in order to achieve
electrostatic equilibrium. To have electrostatic equilibrium, the direction of the
force of the charge on q2 must be opposite the direction of the force of the first
charge. The electrostatic force due to q1 points to q2. If q3 were between q1 and
q2, both forces on q2 would point in the same direction, so it would not be in
electrostatic equilibrium. So q3 can not be between the charges. Because q3 is
greater than q1, we would expect the location of q1 to be closer to q2 in order for
the forces to balance. So q3 is opposite the position of q1. The electric forces must
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

be equal and opposite to have electrostatic equilibrium.

kC q3q2 –kCq2q1
F3,2 = –F2,1 =  2 =  
(x – 1.0 m) x2
q2 x2 = –q1(x – 1.0 m)2 = – q1x2 + 2q1x – (1.0 m2)q1
(q2 + q1)x2 – 2q1x + (1.0 m2)q1 = 0
Use the quadratic formula to solve for x.


苶苶
2q1 ± (2q1苶
)2苶–苶4(q
苶2苶苶
+ 苶q苶 苶.0
1)(1苶苶m2苶)苶q1苶
x = 
2(q2 + q1)


苶24
2(24 mC) ± 4(苶苶mC
苶)苶2苶–苶4(–
苶12
苶苶mC
苶苶+苶24苶m苶C
苶)(
苶24
苶苶mC
苶)(
苶1.
苶0苶m
苶2苶)
x =  = 2.0 m ± 1.4 m
2(–12 mC + 24 mC)
To achieve electrostatic equilibrium, q3 must be opposite q1, so x = 3.4 m
from the origin.

Problem C Ch. 16–5

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Substitute the values into the equation(s) and solve: Calculate the electro-
static force between q2 and q3.
r3,2 = x – r1,2 = 3.4 m – 1.0 m = 2.4 m
9 2 2 –5 –5
kCq2 q3 (8.99 × 10 N•m /C )(–1.2 × 10 C)(–3.6 × 10 C)
F3,2 =   =  = 0.67 m
r3,22 (2.4 m)2

ADDITIONAL PRACTICE

1. Three charges are on the y-axis. One positive charge, q1 = 9.0 mC, is at
y = 3.0 m. A second charge of –19 mC is located at the origin. A third
charge of 9.0 mC is placed so that q2 is in electrostatic equilibrium with
q1 and q3. How large must the electrostatic force between q2 and q3 be
to balance the force between q1 and q2?
2. Three charges lie along the x-axis. One positive charge, q1 = 25 mC is at
x = 0.25 m. Another charge, q2 = –5.0 mC, is located at the origin. A
third charge, q3 = –35 mC, is placed so that q2 is in electrostatic equilib-
rium with q1 and q3. How large must the electrostatic force between q2
and q3 be to balance the force between q1 and q2?
3. Three charges are on the y-axis. One positive charge, q1 = 6.0 mC is
at y = 5.0 cm. Another charge, q2 = –12 mC, is at the origin. A third,
6.0 mC charge is placed so that q2 is in electrostatic equilibrium with
q1 and q3. How large must the electrostatic force between q2 and q3
be to balance the force between q1 and q2?
4. A charge of 7.2 nC and a charge of 6.7 nC are separated by 32 cm. Find
the equilibrium position for a –3.0 nC charge.
5. A charge of 5.5 nC and a charge of 11 nC are separated by 88 cm. Find
the equilibrium position for a –22 nC charge.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

6. A charge of –2.5 nC and a charge of –7.5 nC are separated by 20.0 cm.
Find the equilibrium position for a 5.0 nC charge.
7. Three charges are on the y-axis. A –2.3 C charge is at the origin and an-
other, unknown charge is at y = 2.0 m. A third charge of –4.6 C is
placed at y = –2.0 m so that it is in electrostatic equilibrium with the
first two charges. What is the charge on q2?
8. Three charges are on the x-axis. At the origin is an 8.0 C charge. An un-
known charge, q2, is at x = 1.0 m. A third charge, q3 = –4.0 C, is placed
at x = –1.0 m, where it is in electrostatic equilibrium with the other two
charges. What is the charge on q2?

Ch. 16–6 Holt Physics Problem Bank

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NAME ______________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS ____________________

9. Three charges are on the y-axis. At the origin is a charge, q1 = 49 C, an

unknown charge, q2, is at y = 7.0 m. A third charge, q3 = –7.0 C, is
placed at y = –18 m, where it is in electrostatic equilibrium with q1 and
q2. What is the charge on q2?
10. Three charges are on the y-axis. At the origin is a charge, q1 = 72 C, an
unknown charge, q2, is at y = 15 mm. A third charge, q3 = –8.0 C, is
placed at y = –9.0 mm, so that it is in electrostatic equilibrium with q1
and q2. What is the charge on q3?
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Problem C Ch. 16–7

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Givens Solutions




9. q1 = 9.00 × 10−3 C r1,2 = r1,3 = x
1,2

2
+

y1,

2

1,3
2
+

y1,


2 = x
2

.0
3 = (1
0
m

)
2
+
(1.

00


m)
2 = 1.41 m



q2 = 6.00 × 10−3 C r2,3 = r
1,2

2
+

r1,

2

.4
3 = (1
1
m


)2

+
(1.

41


m

)2 = 1.99 m
q3 = 3.00 × 10−3 C kC q1q2 (8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2)(9.00 × 10−3 C)(6.00 × 10−3 C)
F1,2 =   2 =  = 2.44 × 105 N
kC = 8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2 r1,2 (1.41 m)2

x1,2 = 1.00 m kCq1q3 (8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2)(9.00 × 10−3 C)(3.00 × 10−3 C)

F1,3 =   2 =  = 1.22 × 105 N
r1,3 (1.41 m)2
y1,2 = 1.00 m

 
1.00 m
x1,3 = 1.00 m j = tan−1  = 45°
1.00 m
y1,3 = 1.00 m
F1,2: Fx = F1,2 cos q = (2.44 × 105 N) cos 45° = 1.73 × 105 N
Fy = F1,2 sin q = (2.44 × 105 N) sin 45° = 1.73 × 105 N

F1,3: Fx = F1,3 cos q = (1.22 × 105 N) cos 45° = 8.63 × 104 N

Fy = F1,3 sin q = (1.22 × 105 N) sin 45° = 8.63 × 104 N
Fx,tot = 1.73 × 105 N + 8.63 × 104 N = 2.59 × 105 N

Fy,tot = 1.73 × 105 N + 8.63 × 104 N = 2.59 × 105 N

x,
to


Ftot = (F t)
+
2


(F
y,t

ot
)
2 = (2

.5

9
×

10
5

N)
2

+
(2.

59


×
10
5

N)
2

Ftot = 3.66 × 105 N

 
2.59 × 105 N
j = tan−1  = 45°
2.59 × 105 N

10. q1 = q2 = q3 = 4.00 × 10−9 C All forces are along the x-axis, so there are no y-components.

kC = 8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2 k q2 (8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2)(4.00 × 10−9 C)2

F2,1 = F2,3 = C2 =  = 8.99 × 10−9 N
r2,1 (4.00 m)2
r2,1 = r2,3 = 4.00 m
Fx,tot = 2(8.99 × 10−9 N) = 1.80 × 10−8 N

Fy,tot = 0 N



x,
to


Ftot = (F t)
+
2

ot
)
2 = 1.80 × 10−8 N along the x-axis


(F
y,t

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Additional Practice C

1. q1 = 9.0 mC The charge, q3, cannot be in electrostatic equilibrium between q1 and q2, because the
forces point in the same direction. Because q2 is larger than q1, q3 will be close to q1,
q2 = −19 mC and opposite q2.
q3 = 9.0 mC
kC q3q1 kC q3q2
F3,1 = −F3,2 =   = − 
kC = 8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2 (y − 3.0 m)2 y2
r2,1 = 3.0 m q1y 2 = −q2 (y − 3.0 m)2 = −q2y 2 + 6q2y − (9.0 m2)q2
(q1 + q2)y2 − 6q2y + (9.0 m2)q2 = 0



q
2)
2
−
4(q
6q2 ± (6
1
+

q

.0
2)(9

m2
)(q


2)
y = 
2(q1 + q2)



.0
6(−19 mC) ± (6

m

19
)2(−

mC

)2

−
4(9

.0


mC


−
19
m
C

)(

9.

0
m

2
)(−

19


mC

)

y = 
2(9.0 mC − 19 mC)
y = 9.6 m = r2,3
V kC q3q2 (8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2)(−1.9 × 10−5 C)(9.0 × 10−6 C)
F3,2 =   = 
r3,22 (9.6 m)2

F3,2 = −1.7 × 10−2 N

V Ch. 16–6 Holt Physics Solution Manual

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Givens Solutions
2. q1 = 25 mC The charge, q3, cannot be in electrostatic equilibrium between q1 and q2, because the
forces point in the same direction. Because q1 is larger than q2, q3 will be closest to q2
q2 = −5.0 mC on the side opposite of q1.
q3 = −35 mC
kC q3q2 −kC q3q1
F3,2 = −F3,1 =  2 = 2
kC = 8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2 (−x) (x + 0.25 m)
r1,2 = 0.25 m (q2 + q1)x2 − (0.50 m)q2x + (0.625 m2)q2 = 0



.5
(0.50 m)q2 ± (0
0
m


)2

q22
−


4(q


2 +

q

.6
1)(0
25


m2
)

q2
x = 
2(q2 + q1)



.5
(0.50 m)(−5.0 mC) ± (0
0
m



5.
)2(−
0
m
C


)2

−
4(−

5.

0
m
C


+
25
m
C

)(

0.

62

5
m

2
)(−

5.

0
m


C)

x = 
2(−5.0 mC + 25 mC)
x = −0.20 m = r3,2

kC q3q1 (8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2)(−3.5 × 10−5 C)(−5.0 × 10−6 C)

F3,2 =   =  = 39 N
r3,2 (−0.20 m)2

3. q1 = 6.0 mC −kCq1q2 −(8.99 × 109 N • m 2/C2)(6.0 × 10−6 C)(−12.0 × 10−6 C)

F2,3 = −F1,2 =   = 
q2 = −12.0 mC r1,22 (5.0 × 10−2 m)2
q3 = 6.0 mC F2,3 = 260 N
9 2 2
kC = 8.99 × 10 N • m /C
r1,0 = 5.0 × 10−2 m

4. q1 = 7.2 nC The charge, q3, must be between the charges to achieve electrostatic equilibrium.
q2 = 6.7 nC kC q1q3 kC q2q3
F1,3 + F1,2 =  
2 −   =0
q3 = −3.0 nC x (x − 0.32 m)2

kC = 8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2 (q1 − q2)x2 − (0.64 m)q1x + (0.32 m)2q1x = 0

r1,2 = 3.2 × 10−1 m = 0.32 m



.6
(0.64 m)(7.2 nC) ± (0
4
m

)
2
(7.

2
n
C

)
2
−
4(7

.2


nC


−
6.7


nC

)(

0.

32


m)
2(7

.2


nC

)

x = 
2(7.2 nC − 6.7 nC)

x = 16 cm
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

5. q1 = 5.5 nC The charge, q3, must be between the charges to achieve electrostatic equilibrium.
q2 = 11 nC kC q1q3 kC q2q3
F1,3 + F1,2 =   −   =0
q3 = −22 nC x2 (x − 88 cm)2

kC = 8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2 (q1 − q2)x2 − (176 cm)q1x + (88 cm)2q1x = 0

r1,2 = 88 cm (176 cm)(5.5 nC) ±

(1

76
c

m

)2

(5

.5
n

C
)2

−
4

(5

.5

n
C

−
1

1

n
C

)(

88
c

m

)2

(5

.5

n
C
)
x = 
2(5.5 nC − 11 nC)

x = 36 cm

Section Five—Problem Bank V Ch. 16–7

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Givens Solutions
6. q1 = −2.5 nC The charge, q3, must be between the charges to achieve electrostatic equilibrium.
q2 = − 7.5 nC kC q1q3 kCq2q3
F1,3 + F1,2 =   −   =0
q3 = 5.0 nC x2 (x − 20.0 cm)2

kC = 8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2 (q1 − q2)x2 − (40.0 cm)q1x + (20.0 cm)2q1x = 0

r1,2 = 20.0 cm
0.
(40.0 cm)(−2.5 nC) ± (4
0
cm



2.
)2(−
5
n
C


)2

−
4(−

2.
5
n
C


+
7.5


nC

)(

20

.0


cm



2.
)2(−
5
n
C

)

x = 
2(−2.5 nC + 7.5 nC)

x = 7.3 cm

7. q1 = −2.3 C −kC q3q1 kC q3q2

F3,1 + F3,2 =   −  = 0
q3 = −4.6 C r3,12 r3,2

r1,2 = r3,1 = 2.0 m −q1r3,222 −(−2.3 C)(4.0 m)2

q2 =   =  = 9.2 C
r3,2 = 4.0 m r3,1 (2.0 m)2

kC = 8.99 × 109 N • m2/C2

8. q1 = 8.0 C −kC q3q1 kC q3q2

F3,1 + F3,2 =   −  =0
q3 = −4.0 C r3,12 r3,22

r1,2 = 1.0 m −q1r3,22 −(8.0 C)(2.0 m)2

q2 =   =  = −32 C
r3,1 = 1.0 m r3,12 (1.0 m)2

r3,2 = 2.0 m

9. q1 = 49 C − k q3q1 kCq3q2
F3,1 + F3,2 = C −  =0
q3 = −7.0 C r3,12 r3,22

r1,2 = 7.0 m −q1r3,22 −(49 C)(25.0 m)2

q2 =   =  = −94.5 C
r3,12 (−18.0 m)2
r3,1 = −18.0 m
r3,2 = 25.0 m

10. q1 = 72 C − k q3q1 kCq3q2

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

F3,1 + F3,2 = C −  =0
q3 = −8.0 C r3,12 r3,22

r1,2 = 15 mm = 1.5 × 10−2 m −q1r3,22 −(72 C)(2.4 × 10−2 m)2

q2 =   =  = −512 C
r3,1 = −9.0 mm = −9.0 × 10−3 m r3,12 (−9.0 × 10−3 m)2

r3,2 = 2.4 × 10−2 m

Additional Practice D

1. Ex = 9.0 N/C Felectric

Ex =  
q = −6.0 C q
Felectric = Exq = (9.0 N/C)(−6.0 C)

Felectric = −54 N in the −x direction

2. Ey = 1500 N/C Felectric

Ey =  
−9
V q = 5.0 × 10 C q
Felectric = Eyq = (1500 N/C)(5.0 × 10−9 C)

Felectric = 7.5 × 10−6 N in the +y direction

V Ch. 16–8 Holt Physics Solution Manual