Question

Two electric force vectors act on a particle. Their x-components are 12.5 N and −7.20 N and their y-components are −13.0 N and −4.60 N, respectively. For the resultant electric force, find the following.(a) the x-component N (b) the y-component N (c) the magnitude of the resultant electric force N

Answer 1

Given:

The x-component of the forces is 12.5 N and -7.2 N

The y-component of the forces is -13 N and -4.6 N

Required:

(a) The x-component

(b) The y-component

(c) The magnitude of resultant electric force

Explanation:

(a) The x-component will be

$\begin{gathered} F_x=12.5-7.2 \\ =5.3\text{ N} \end{gathered}$

(b)The y-component will be

$\begin{gathered} F_y=-13\text{ -4.6} \\ =-17.6\text{ N} \end{gathered}$

(c) The magnitude of the resultant electric force will be

$\begin{gathered} F=\text{ }\sqrt{F_x^2+F_y^2} \\ =\sqrt{(5.3)^2+(-17.6)^2} \\ =18.38\text{ N} \end{gathered}$