Question

A particle of charge Q is fixed at the origin of an xy coordinate system. At t = 0 a particle (m = 0.959 g, q = 5.84 µC is located on the x axis at x = 20.7 cm, moving with a speed of 47.9 m/s in the positive ydirection. For what value of Q will the moving particle execute circular motion? (Neglect the gravitational force on the particle.)

Answer 1

`8.66* 10^(-6)\ C` or
`8.66\ \mu C`.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given:

• Charge on the particle at origin = Q.
• Mass of the moving charged particle,
  `\rm m = 0.959\ g = 0.959* 10^(-3)\ kg.`
• Charge on the moving charged particle,
  `\rm q = 5.84\ \mu C = 5.84* 10^(-6)\ C.`
• Distance of the moving charged particle from first at t = 0 time,
  `\rm r=20.7\ cm = 0.207\ m.`
• Speed of the moving particle,
  `\rm v = 47.9\ m/s.`

For the moving particle to circular motion, the electrostatic force between the two must be balanced by the centripetal force on the moving particle.

The electrostatic force on the moving particle due to the charge Q at origin is given by Coulomb's law as:

`\rm F_e = (kqQ)/(r^2).`

where,
`\rm k` is the Coulomb's constant having value
`\rm 9* 10^9\ Nm^2/C^2.`

The centripetal force on the moving particle due to particle at origin is given as:

`\rm F_c = (mv^2)/(r).`

For the two forces to be balanced,

`\rm F_e = F_c\\(kqQ)/(r^2)=(mv^2)/(r)\\\Rightarrow Q = (mv^2)/(r)* (r^2)/(kq)\\=(mv^2r)/(kq)\\=((0.959* 10^(-3))* (47.9)^2* (0.207))/((9* 10^9)* (5.84* 10^(-6)))\\=8.66* 10^(-6)\ C\\=8.66\ \mu C.`