Two point charges is placed at coordinates and is fixed at in vacuum.
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences
Problem
Two point charges q1=+3μC is placed at coordinates (2cm,0,0) and q2=−2μC is fixed at (−1cm,0,0) in vacuum.
(i) Identify whether the electrostatic force on q1 due to q2 is attractive or repulsive. Justify your answer by referring to the sign of the product q1q2.
(ii) Write the direction of the force on q1 due to q2 as a unit vector expressed in Cartesian component form.
(iii) Explain briefly how your answer to part (ii) is consistent with the nature of force (attraction or repulsion) stated in part (i).