Two identical conducting spheres, fixed in place, attract each other with an ele

Question

Two identical conducting spheres, fixed in place, attract each other with an electrostatic force of 0.3474 N when their center-to-center separation is 50 cm. The spheres are then connected by a thirn conducting wire. When the wire is removed, the spheres repel each other with an electrostatic force of 0.2719 N. What were the initial charges on the spheres? Since one is negative and you cannot tell which is positive or negative, there are two solutions. Take the absolute value of the charges and enter the smaller value here. Submit Answer Incorrect. Tries 1/10 Previous Tries Enter the larger value here Submit Answer Incorrect. Tries 1/10 Prevlous Tres

Explanation / Answer

let q1 and q2 are the initial charges.

F = k*q1*q2/d^2

-0.3474 = 9*10^9*q1*q2/0.5^2

q1*q2 = -0.3474*0.5^2/(9*10^9)

q1*q2 = -9.65*10^-12 C ----(1)

after connecting with wires, , the charge on each sphere is q

F = k*q^2/d^2

q = sqrt(F*d^2/k)

= sqrt(0.2719*0.5^2/(9*10^9))

= 2.75*10^-6 C

(q1 + q2)/2 = 2.75*10^-6 C -----(2)

on solving equations 1 and 2

we get

q1 = 1.3988*10^-6 C

q2 = 6.8988*10^-6 C

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.