Question

With the two spheres separated by 1 cm you measure the magnitude of the force between the spheres to be LaTeX: F_{12}F 12 . Now you remove the second sphere, and then bring a third identical sphere that is initially uncharged into brief contact with the first sphere before separating them by 1 cm. What is the approximate magnitude of the force between the first and third spheres?

Answer 1

Answer:
`0.25f_(12)`

Step-by-step explanation:

Given

When Sphere 1 and 2 are present then force is
`f_(12)`

suppose q is the charge on both the sphere and
`d=1\ cm` is the distance between them then

`f_(12)=(kq^2)/(d^2)`

Now sphere 2 is removed and sphere 1 is brought in contact with sphere 3

Charge will be automatically distributed among two spheres

i.e. both will acquire a charge of
`0.5 q`

Now force between them is

`f'=(k* 0.5q* 0.5q)/(d^2)`

`f'=0.25* (kq^2)/(d^2)`

`f'=(f_(12))/(4)`