Question

Two identical metal objects are mounted on insulating stands. Describe how you could place charges of opposite sign but exactly equal magnitude on the two objects. Zhejiang Normal University, China DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Q21.15 A point charge of mass m and charge Q and another point charge of mass m but charge 2Q are released on a frictionless table. If the charge Q has an initial acceleration do, what will be the acceleration of 2Q: 40, 200, 400, 40/2, or ao/4? Explain.

Answer 1

To place charges of opposite signs but exactly equal magnitude on two identical metal objects mounted on insulating stands, one can initially charge one of the objects positively, for instance, by touching it with a positively charged rod. This action induces a negative charge on the adjacent side of the second metal object. By grounding the first object, the induced negative charge redistributes onto the second object, resulting in equal magnitude but opposite-sign charges on both.

Step-by-step explanation:

Achieving charges of opposite signs but equal magnitude involves a process of charging by induction. When a positively charged rod is brought near the first metal object, electrons in the metal move away, inducing a negative charge on the side closest to the rod. Grounding the first object allows electrons to flow and redistribute, leading to the second metal object acquiring an induced negative charge.

This method ensures that both metal objects end up with charges of equal magnitude and opposite signs. It is essential to use insulating stands to prevent charge dissipation and maintain the integrity of the induced charges on the metal objects. This process aligns with the principles of electrostatics and induction in physics.