Ferdinand the frog is hopping from lily pad to lily pad in search of a good fly

Response:

Clarification:

The force between two charges, q₁ and q₂ at a distance d is represented by the formula

F = k q₁ q₂ / d²

Here, the force between charge q₁ = -15 x 10⁻⁹ C and q₃ = 47 x 10⁻⁹ C with distance d = (1.66 - 1.24) = 0.42 mm

k = 1 / (4π x 8.85 x 10⁻¹²)

Substituting the values into the equation

F = 1 / (4π x 8.85 x 10⁻¹²) x -15 x 10⁻⁹ x 47 x 10⁻⁹ / (0.42 x 10⁻³)²

= 9 x 10⁹ x -15 x 10⁻⁹ x 47 x 10⁻⁹ / (0.42 x 10⁻³)²

= 35969.4 x 10⁻³ N.

For the force between charge q₂ = 34.5 x 10⁻⁹ C and q₃ = 47 x 10⁻⁹ C at a distance d = (1.24 - 0) = 1.24 mm.

Substituting the values into the expression

F = 1 / (4π x 8.85 x 10⁻¹²) x 34.5 x 10⁻⁹ x 47 x 10⁻⁹ / (0.42 x 10⁻³)²

= 9 x 10⁹ x -34.5 x 10⁻⁹ x 47 x 10⁻⁹ / (0.42 x 10⁻³)²

= 82729.6 x 10⁻³ N

Both forces direct towards the left (away from the origin, towards the negative x-axis)

Total force = 118699 x 10⁻³

= 118.7 N.