Question

Two small plastic spheres each have a mass of 2 grams and a charge of -50 nC. They are placed 2 cm apart (center to center). A) What is the magnitude of the electric force on each sphere? B) If one sphere is held in place what is the resulting acceleration magnitude of the other?

Answer 1

Part a)

F = 0.056 N

Part b)

a = 28.13 m/s/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Part a)

Electrostatic force between two charged balls is given as

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

now we will have

`q_1 = q_2 = 50 nC`

r = 2 cm

now we will have

`F = ((9* 10^9)(50 * 10^(-9))(50 * 10^(-9)))/(0.02^2)`

so here we have

`F = 0.056 N`

Part b)

Now due to above force the acceleration of one ball which is released is given as

`a = (F)/(m)`

`a = (0.056)/(2 * 10^(-3))`

`a = 28.13 m/s^2`