Question

A point object (mass: ma, charge: qa > 0) is held at a distance "d" from another point object (mass: mb, charge: qb > 0). Then the two object are simultaneously left to accelerate based on their electric repulsion. Calculate the speeds of both objects when they are far from each other.

Answer 1

To calculate the speeds of two point objects with mass and charge when they are far from each other due to electric repulsion, we need to consider the conservation of energy and solve for the final velocities using the initial kinetic energy and final potential energy of the system.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, we have two point charges, one with mass ma and charge qa, and the other with mass mb and charge qb. When these two charges are released, they will experience an electric force of repulsion from each other. To calculate the speeds of both objects when they are far from each other, we need to consider the conservation of energy. The initial kinetic energy of the system is zero since the second object is initially stationary. The final potential energy of the system is zero when the two objects are far apart. Using the conservation of energy, we can equate the initial kinetic energy to the final potential energy and solve for the final velocities of the two objects. The final velocities will depend on the masses and charges of the objects, as well as the distance between them.