Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 21 - Coulomb's Law - Problems - Page 626: 23a

Answer

There is a minimum at $x = 0$

Work Step by Step

When $0 \leq x \leq 5.0~m$, the vertical components of the forces cancel out. When $0 \lt x \leq 5.0~m$, the horizontal components of the forces are directed in the positive direction of the x axis. Therefore, the net force on particle 3 is greater than zero. However, when $x = 0$, there is no horizontal component of the forces on particle 3 due to the other particles. Therefore, the net force on particle 3 is zero. There is a minimum at $x = 0$
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