Figure shows four situations in which particles of charge +q or -q are fixed in place. In each the particles on the x-axis are equidistant from the y-axis. The particle on the y-axis experiences an electrostatic force F from each of these two particle.
(a) Are the magnitudes F of those force the same or different?
(b ) Is the magnitude of the net force on the particle on the y-axis. equal to grater than, or less than 2F?
(c ) Do the x-components of the two forces add or cancel?
(d) Do the y-components of the force add or cancel?
(e ) Is the direction of the net forcce on the middle particle that of the canceling components or the adding components?
(f) What is the direction of the net force on the middle particle ?
,
,

Explanation

,
(a) It is clear from the diagram that the force `F(F_(1)or F_(2))` in case (i) , (ii) ,(iii) and (iv) will be same.
(b) Less than 2F
(c ) Cancel in situations (i) and (ii) and add in situations (iii) and (iv)
(d) Add in situations (i) and (ii) and cancel in situations (iii) and (iv)
(e ) Obvuously, the direction of net force will be that of adding components.
(f) (i) +y, (ii) -y, (iii) +x, (iv) -x