Question

The world's largest tires have a mass of almost 6000 kg and a diameter of 3.72 m each. Consider an equilateral triangle with sides that are 3.72 m long each. If equal positive charges are placed at the points on either end of the triangle's base, what is the direction of the resultant electric field strength vector at the top vertex? If the magnitude of the electric field strength at the top vertex equals 0.145 N/C, what are the two quantities of charge at the base of the triangle?

Answer 1

(a) Direction of Resultant Electric field (E_R vector) at top is upward. (b) vert E_R vector vert = 0.145 N/C vert E_R vector vert = E_q sin 60 degree + E_q sin 60 degree 0.145 = (2) (sin 60 degree) (9 times 10^9) (q)/d^2 q = (0.145)(3.72)^2/(squareroot 3) (9 times 10^9) q = 1.3 times 10^-10