Two identical conducting spheres, fixed in place, attract eachother with an elec

Question

Two identical conducting spheres, fixed in place, attract eachother with an electrostatic force of 0.126 N when theircenter-to-center separation is 50.8 cm. The spheres are thenconnected by a thin conducting wire. When the wire is removed, thespheres repel each other with an electrostatic force of 0.0450 N.Of the initial charges on the spheres, with a positive net charge,what was (a) the negative charge incoulombs on one of them and (b) thepositive charge in coulombs on the other?

(a)

Number

Units

(b)

Number

Units

Explanation / Answer

Two identical conducting spheres, fixed in place, attract eachother with an electrostatic force of 0.126 N when theircenter-to-center separation is 50.8 cm. The spheres are thenconnected by a thin conducting wire. When the wire is removed, thespheres repel each other with an electrostatic force of 0.0450 N.Of the initial charges on the spheres, with a positive net charge,what was (a) the negative charge incoulombs on one of them and (b) thepositive charge in coulombs on the other?

let the charges before connection be q1 and q2

the force ofattraction=9*109q1q2/50.8*50.8*10-4=0.126N

when they were connected

the force of repulsion=9*109[(q1+q2)/2]2/50.8*50.8*10-4=0.0450N

calculating we will get the answer q1,q2

(a)

Number

Units

(b)

Number

Units

(a)

Number

Units

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

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