Question

Two small plastic spheres each have a mass of 1.1 g and a charge of -50.0 nC . They are placed 2.1 cm apart (center to center). A. What is the magnitude of the electric force on each sphere? B. By what factor is the electric force on a sphere larger than its weight?

Answer 1

Part a)

F = 0.051 N

Part b)

Both spheres will follow Newton's III law of action reaction force so both sphere will have same force of equal magnitude.

Step-by-step explanation:

Part a)

Electrostatic force between two charged spherical balls is given as

`F = (kq_1q_2)/(r^2)`

here we will have

`q_1 = q_2 = 50 nC`

here the distance between the center of two balls is given as

`r = 2.1 cm = 0.021 m`

now we will have

`F = ((9* 10^9)(50 * 10^(-9))(50 * 10^(-9)))/(0.021^2)`

`F = 0.051 N`

Part b)

Both spheres will follow Newton's III law of action reaction force so both sphere will have same force of equal magnitude.