Question

Two very small spheres are initially neutral and separated by a distance of 0.30 m. Suppose that 2.00 1013 electrons are removed from one sphere and placed on the other. (a) What is the magnitude of the electrostatic force that acts on each sphere

Answer 1

The magnitude of the electrostatic force that acts on each sphere is 1.027 N

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

distance of separation of the two spheres, r = 0.3 m

number of electrons on the spheres = 2 x 10¹³ e

charges on each sphere, q = 2 x 10¹³ x 1.602 x 10⁻¹⁹ C = 3.204 x 10⁻⁶ C

According to coulomb's law;

`F = (kq^2)/(r^2)`

where;

F is the electrostatic force between the spheres

K is coulomb's constant = 9 x 10⁹ Nm²/c²

`F = (kq^2)/(r^2) = (9*10^9 *(3.204*10^(-6))^2)/(0.3^2) = 1.027 \ N`

Therefore, the magnitude of the electrostatic force that acts on each sphere is 1.027 N