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An object carries a charge of -8.5 µC, while another carries a charge of -2.0 µC. How many electrons must be transferred from the first to the second object so that both objects have the same charge?

User Alextc
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2 Answers

27 votes
27 votes

Final answer:

Approximately 4.056 x 10^13 electrons must be transferred from the first object to the second to equalize their charges, as calculated by dividing the charge difference by the charge per electron.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find out how many electrons must be transferred from the first object to the second to make both objects have the same charge, we first need to determine the charge difference between the two objects. The first object has a charge of -8.5 µC, and the second one has a charge of -2.0 µC. The difference in charge is 8.5 µC - 2.0 µC = 6.5 µC. Since both objects are negatively charged, transferring electrons from the first to the second object will decrease the charge on the first and increase the charge on the second.

The charge of a single electron is approximately -1.602 x 10-19 coulombs. To find the number of electrons that correspond to a charge of 6.5 µC, we use the formula:

Number of electrons = Total charge / Charge per electron

Number of electrons = 6.5 µC / 1.602 x 10-19 C/electron

Since 1 µC = 1 x 10-6 C, we then have:

Number of electrons = 6.5 x 10-6 C / 1.602 x 10-19 C/electron

Which gives us:

Number of electrons = 4.056 x 1013 electrons

Therefore, 4.056 x 1013 electrons must be transferred from the first to the second object for the objects to have the same charge.

User Amiram Stark
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2.1k points
8 votes
8 votes

Answer:

Approximately 2*10^13 electrons must be transferred

Step-by-step explanation:

Below is the given information:

First object carries charge = -8.5 µC

Number of electrons in 1st = 8.5 x 10^-6/(1.6 x 10^-19) = 5.3125 x 10^13

Second object carries a charge = -2.0 µC

The number of electrons in 2nd = 2*10^-6/(1.6*10^-19) = 1.25 x 10^13

so, approximately 2 x 10^13 electrons must be transferred

User Frajk
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