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Two 1.09 kg masses are 2.85 m apart on a frictionless table. Each has 75.045 microCoulombs of charge. What is the initial acceleration of each mass if they are released and allowed to move?

User Termosa
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1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

5.72 m/s^2

Step-by-step explanation:

The first step is toc calculate the electric force between the charged masses by applying Coulomb's law. The formula is expressed as

F = kq1q2/r^2

where

F is the force between the charged particles

q1 and q2 are the charges

k is the Coulomb's law and its value is 9 x 10^9NC/m^2

From the information given,

q1 = q2 = 75.045 μC = 75.045 x 10^- 6 C

r = 2.85

By substituting these values into the formula,

F = [9 x 10^9 x (75.045 x 10^- 6)^2]/2.85^2

F = 6.24 N

Recall,

Force = mass x acceleration

From the information given,

mass = 1.09

acceleration = Force/mass = 6.24/1.09

acceleration = 5.72 m/s^2

The initial acceleration of each mass is 5.72 m/s^2

User Alex Townsend
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