Topic: Coulomb’s law Week 2

Learning Sheet 1
I. OBJECTIVE
At the end of the lesson, the learners CAN……
1. Calculate the electric field due to a system of point charges using Coulomb’s law and the
superposition principle.
II. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
1.1. Summary of the Essential concept
The Superposition Principle
Consider four electric charges in a vacuum. Each pair of charges will interact with each other, and
electrostatic forces are exerted between these charges as they interact. These are a total of six forces in the
described system of four electric charges in a vacuum. As these forces are vectors, you simply add them to
get the resultant force.
Recall from your previous physics class that the resultant force is the sum of all the forces acting on a
body. This means that you have two or more forces applied on a body, the body will experience the net effect
of all the forces applied. This addition of forces applied on a body is essentially an application of the
superposition principle.
In the study of electric charges, the superposition principle essentially means that the overall effect or net
effect of the presence of electric charges in a given system is equal to the individual effects of each pair of
charges in the system. In figure 2.3, you can see how the six electrostatic forces are added and resulted in a
single electrostatic force.

Example:
1. Consider the following three point charges arranged along x-axis:
a. q 1 has a charge of -8.0 µC and is located x = -3.0 m
b. q 2 carries a charge of 3.0 µC and is located at the origin
c. q 3 has a charge of -4.0 µC and is located at x = 3.0 m
What is the overall force experienced by q 2?

Solution:
The force between q 1 and q 2 is computed as follows:

9 N∗m2 −6 −6
(8.99 x 10 )(−8.0 x 10 C)(3.0 x 10 C )
⃗
F1,2 = C 2
= - 0.02N
2
(3.0 m)

The force between q 2 and q 3 is computed as follows:

2
9 N∗m −6 −6
(8.99 x 10 )(3.0 x 10 C)(−4.0 x 10 C)
⃗
F2,3 = C 2
= - 0.02 N
2
(3.0 m)

Note that q 1 and q 3 will equally attract q 2. This implies that q 2 will be suspended at the origin and will
experience a net force (resultant force) of 0 N. ⃗
F1,2 can be interpreted as -0.2 N (going to the left) and ⃗
F2,3 as
0.02 N (going to the right). By superposition principle you have

⃗
Fnet = -0.2 N + 0.2 N = 0 N

The charge q 2 will not experience any net force.

2. Three point charges are arranged along y-axis in a vacuum. The topmost charge bears a charge of -4.0
µC, the middle charge has a charge of +3.0µC, and the bottom one carries -7.0µC charge. What is the
magnitude and direction of the net electrostatic force that the middle charge experience?

Solution:
The force between the top charge and the middle charge is computed as follows:
2
9 N∗m −6 −6
(8.99 x 10 )(−4.0 x 10 C)(3.0 x 10 C)
⃗
F top−middle = C
2
= -2.7 N
2
(0.20 m)

The force between the bottom charge and the middle charge is computed as follows:

9 N∗m2 −6 −6
(8.99 x 10 )(−7.0 x 10 C)(3.0 x 10 C)
⃗
F top−middle = C 2
= -8.4 N
2
( 0.20 m)

The top charge will pull the middle charge upward (positive direction with respect to the y-axis), whereas the
bottom charge will pull the middle charge downward (negative direction with respect to the y-axis). Thus, by
the superposition principle, you have

⃗
Fnet = 2.7 N + (-8.4 N) = -5.7 N

The middle charge experience a net electrostatic force of approximately -5.7 N.

1.2. Testing of Knowledge

Three nanocoulomb (nC) charges are placed at separate corners of square with each side
measuring 3 cm. the two charges located at opposite vertices are negative and the other
given charge is positive. Calculate the force experienced by a fourth 3 nC when palced at
the missing corner.

1.3 Knowledge Scanning

How do charged bodies interact with other charged bodies?

- When two bodies has opposite charges, it attracts. When two bodies has a like charges, it repel or
repulse each other.
 1.4 Integration of Learning
Three Minute Pause
Directions: Complete the statements based on the concepts presented.

I became more aware of...

- The superposition principle, the overall net effect of the electric charges present in the
given system is equal to the individual effects of each pair of charges in the system.

I was surprised about...

- Having two or more forces applied on a body, the body will experience the net effect of
all the forces applied, an application of superposition principle.

III. SELF-DETERMINING PRACTICE

1. Three charges (+5 µC, +4µC, and -9.0µC) are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle
with a side measuring 1.5 cm. how much force accts on the -9.0µC charge due to the two other
charges?

2. Two tiny, identical metal balls carry charges of +6 nC and -14 nC, and are 4cm apart from
each other. What is the force of attraction between these balls?
 IV. REFLECTION
Relate your current personality to how electrostatic forces relate to each other through the
superposition principle.

- I relate superposition principle on my current personality as if someone helped me or I ask for they’re
favor, I’d make sure I return the same favor. I will also be available for them.

Reference:
Arevalo, R.L (2017). General Physics 2. Makati City: Diwa Senior High School Series
Arevalo, R.L (2016). General Physics 2. Quezon City: Exploring Life through Science Series
Prepared By: Jerry G. Tubongbanua