Question

Two balloons (m = 0.012 kg) are separated by a distance of d = 15 m. They are released from rest and observed to have an instantaneous acceleration of a = 1.9 m/s2 toward each other at the moment they are released. Assume the two balloons are point charges and have equal but opposite charges.

Answer 1

1.492*10^14 electrons

Step-by-step explanation:

Since we know the mass of each balloon and the acceleration, let’s use the following equation to determine the total force of attraction for each balloon.

F = m * a = 0.012 * 1.9 = 0.0228 N

Gravitational forces are negligible

Charge force = 9 * 10^9 * q * q ÷ 225

= 9 * 10^9 * q^2 ÷ 225 = 0.0228

q^2 = 5.13 ÷ 9 * 10^9

q = 2.387 *10^-5

This is approximately 2.387 *10^-5 coulomb of charge. The charge of one electron is 1.6 * 10^-19 C

To determine the number of electrons, divide the charge by this number.

N =2.387 *10^-5 ÷ 1.6 * 10^-19 = 1.492*10^14 electrons