Chapter 21, Problem 18P

In Fig. 21-29a, three positively charged particles are fixed on an x axis. Particles B and C are so dose to each other that they can be considered to be at the same distance from particle A. The net force on particle A due to particles B and C is 2.014 × 10⁻²³ N in the negative direction of the x axis. In Fig. 21-29b, particle B has been moved to the opposite side of A but is still at the same distance from it. The net force on A is now 2.877 × 10⁻²⁴ N in the negative direction of the x axis. What is the ratio q_C/q_B?

Figure 21-29 Problem 18.