Question

Two identical conducting spheres are placed with their centers 0.30 m apart. One is given a charge of 12 X10^-9 C and the other is given a charge of -18 X 10^-9 C. a. Find the electric force exerted on one sphere by the other. b. The sphere are connected by a conducting wire. After equilibrium has occurred, find the electric force between the two spheres.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Force between two charged conducting sphere

= k x Q₁ x Q₂ / r² , k is a constant Q₁ and Q₂ are charges and r is distance between them .

= 9 x 10⁹ x 12 x 10⁻⁹ x 18 x 10⁻⁹ / .30²

= 21600 x 10⁻⁹

= 2.16 x 10⁻⁵ N .

b )

After the spheres are joined together , there is redistribution of charge and remaining charge will be equally shared by them .

Charge on each sphere = (12 - 18 ) x 10⁻⁹ / 2

= - 3 x 10⁻⁹ C .

Force = 9 x 10⁹ x 3 x 10⁻⁹ x 3 x 10⁻⁹ / .30²

= 900 x 10⁻⁹ N .