Lab 1: Electric Forces as Vectors

Purpose: This lab provides a computation problem in electrostatics as well as a refresher on vector mathematics. Below, on the graph, are three fixed charged particles 1, 2, and 3. You may choose which particle is which. Below the graph are the charge type and magnitude for each particle. The goal of this lab is to find the net force on each charge as three unique single vectors (magnitude and direction). Please use standard unit circle measurements for angles (+x axis = 0 degrees, +y axis= 90 degrees, -x axis = 180 degrees, and -y axis = 270 degrees). Assume each square is 1 cm square. Red font indicates where you should place your answers, either by typing/by taking a picture of your paper and inserting the picture into the document.

Locations of Charges

1. Find the location of each charge on an x-axis and y-axis of your choosing. Document your coordinate system and the location of the charges.

1= + 6.0 x 10^-6 C

2= - 3.5 x 10^-6 C

3= + 9.0 x 10^-6 C Locations of charges:

Distances and Angles

2. Find the distance and angle between each of the charges. Note that subscripts indicate angle from first particle to second (i.e., ₁₂ is the angle created if you begin on particle 1 and point to particle 2; ₂₁ would be from 2 to 1).

r₁₂ _________________ ₁₂_________ ₂₁_________

r₁₃ _________________ ₁₃_________ ₃₁_________

r₂₃ _________________ ₂₃_________ ₃₂_________

Individual Forces

3. For each of the charges find the coulomb forces due to the other two charges. Draw the two forces on the charges below using the edit drawing feature; click on the image and select "edit." Remember Forces have a magnitude and direction, where the force points in its corresponding direction, and the length corresponds to magnitude.

F₂₁______________ ₂₁_________

F₃₁______________ ₃₁_________

F₁₂______________ ₁₂_________

F₃₂______________ ₃₂_________

F₁₃______________ ₁₃_________

F₂₃______________ ₂₃_________

Net Forces

4. Find the net force on each charge by breaking the two individual forces into components. Use summation of the forces on each charge to find the net force. Recall that when adding forces, you must use vector mathematics (i.e. break into components that are perpendicular to each other, then you may numerically add components that are parallel as scalar values). Show what summation of the forces are as x and y components, and then show the force as a magnitude and direction.

Particle 1 (F1)	X	Y
F21
F31
Comp. of F1
Mag. and Dir. of F1

Particle 2 (F2)	X	Y
F12
F32
Comp. of F2
Mag. and Dir. of F2

Particle 3 (F3)	X	Y
F13
F23
Comp. of F3
Mag. and Dir. of F3

Note: Make sure your numerical answers agree with your original drawings. Also ensure you used correct units in your calculations. Coulomb's constant has base units of meters, Coulombs, and seconds, as do Newtons.

Reflection Questions

1. If the charges were not fixed in place, and no outside forces (including gravity) were present, how would the center of mass of the three-charge system move? What about the movement of the individual charges?

2. The net force is given by the vector quantity F₁ + F₂ + F₃. What is your value for this quantity? (hint: go back to the chart you created) What should it be? Explain any differences.

3. Can this same conclusion be made for the scalar quantity F₁+ F₂ + F₃? Why or why not?

4. Extrapolation: Explain in a few sentences how to compute the net force acting on an electric charge produced by 3 or more other charges.

11140 '53." 21%- e Labi-Electrk CT} /0 Lab 1: Electric Forces as Vectors Purpose: This lab provides a computation problem in electrostatics as well as a refresher on vector mathematics. Below, on the graph, are three fixed charged particles 1, 2, and 3. You may choose which particle is which. Below the graph are the charge type and magnitude for each particle. The goal of this lab is to nd the net force on each charge as three unique single vectors (magnitude and direction). Please use standard unit circle measurements for angles (+x axis = 0 degrees, +y axis: 90 degrees, -x axis = 180 degrees, and y axis = 270 degrees). Assume each square is 1 cm square. Red font indicates where you should place your answers, either by typing or by taking a picture of your paper and inserting the picture into the document. Locations of Charges 1. Find the location of each charge on an xaxis and y-axis of your choosing. Document your coordinate system and the location of the charges. 1: + 6.0 x 10'6 C Z= - 3.5 K 10'6 C 3: + 9.0 x 10'6 C Locations of charges: Distances and Angles 2. Find the distance and angle between each of the charges. Note that subscripts indicate angle from first particle to second (i.e., 812 is the angle created if you begin on particle 1 and point to particle 2; 621 would be from 2 to l). r12 012 921 r13 613 931 F23 923 932 Individual Forces 3. For each of the charges find the coulomb forces due to the other two charges. Draw the two forces on the charges below using the edit drawing feature; click on the image and select \"edit." Remember Forces have a magnitude and direction, where the force points in its corresponding direction, and the length corresponds to magnitude. F21 46.21 F31 4031 f 0% A\") Mobile View Headings Edit Share Read Aloud III C)