Problem 10-31(a) Vector electric field
The figure shows the positions of two a particles (charge on each is +2e) and an electron. What are the magnitude and direction of
(a) the resultant force on the electron?
(Hint: choose the +x axis along the line from the electron to the right-hand a particle.)
[Ans.(a) 1.31×10−8N at 13.3∘ to left of line from electron to right-hand a]
We are going to evaluate the force using components so we need to choose an x,y coordinate system. There is no such thing as a "wrong" coordinate system but some are better than others because they simplify the solution. Which is best?