Question

Three spiders are resting on the vertices of a triangular web. The sides of the triangular web have a length of a = 0.87 m, as depicted in the figure. Two of the spiders (S1 and S3) have +5.7 µC charge, while the other (S2) has −5.7 µC charge. On the xy coordinate plane there are 3 charges, labeled S_1, S_2, and S_3. Charges S_1 and S_2 are on the y axis, both a distance labeled a/2 away from the origin. S_1 is above the origin, and S_2 is below the origin. The third and final charge S_3 is on the positive x axis to the right of the origin. The charge S_3 is a distance labeled a from both S_1 and S_2. Charge S_1 is marked with a plus sign. Charge S_2 is marked with a minus sign. Charge S_3 is marked with a plus sign.

(a) What are the magnitude and direction of the net force on the third spider (S3)? magnitude __________N direction ° ______ counterclockwise from the +x-axis

(b) Suppose the third spider (S3) moves to the origin. Would the net force on the third spider (S3) be greater than, less than, or equal to the magnitude found in part

(a) greater than in part

(b) less than in part (a)

(c)equal to the part (a)

(c) What are the magnitude and direction of the net force on the third spider (S3) when it is resting at the origin? magnitude ______ N direction_______ ° counterclockwise from the +x-axis

Answer 1