extra problems to physics 2 course, Exercises of Physics

The figure shows four situations in which particles of charge +q or –q are fixed in place. In each

situation, the particles on the x axis are equidistant from the y axis.

Consider the middle particle in situation 1; the middle particle experiences an electrostatic force F from

each of the other two particles.

a. Are the magnitudes F of those forces the same or different?

b. Is the magnitude of the net force on the middle particle equal to, greater than, or less than 2F?

c. Do the x components of the two forces add or cancel?

d. Do the y components of the two forces add or cancel?

e. Is the direction of the net force on the middle particle that of the canceling components or the