Two identical point charges of are fixed apart at points P and Q on a straight line

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences

Problem

Two identical point charges of

+4\,\mu\text{C}

are fixed

8\,\text{cm}

apart at points P and Q on a straight line. A charge of

-2\,\mu\text{C}

is placed exactly midway between P and Q at point R. (a) Identify the direction of the force exerted by each

+4\,\mu\text{C}

charge on the

-2\,\mu\text{C}

charge. (b) State the magnitude and direction of the net force acting on the

-2\,\mu\text{C}

charge.