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Two identical conducting spheres, fixed in place, attract each other with an electrostatic force of 0.110 N when their center-to-center separation is 57.3 cm. The spheres are then connected by a thin conducting wire. When the wire is removed, the spheres repel each other with an electrostatic force of 0.0489 N. Of the initial charges on the spheres, with a positive net charge, what was (a) the negative charge on one of them and (b) the positive charge on the other

User BoeseB
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1 Answer

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Answer:

q₂ = ± 1.306 10⁻⁶ C

q₂ = ± 3.073 10⁻⁶ C

Step-by-step explanation:

We must solve this exercise using Coulomb's law, let's write the equilibrium equation for each case

first case

F₁ = k q₁ q₂ / r² (1)

where F1 is the force on sphere 1, with a value of F₁ = 0.110 N; r is the distance between them r = 0.573 m

second case.

The spheres were joined with a conductive wire, so the charge of the two is equal, then the wire is removed and

-F₂ = k q₃ q₃ / r² (2)

In this case the force is expelling and is equal to F₂ = 0.0489 N

when the spheres are joined with the wire the charge of the spheres is distributed evenly between them two

q₁ + q₂ = 2 q₃ (3)

we can see that there are three equations with three unknowns for which the system can be solved

let's substitute equation 3 in 2

- F₂ = k (q₁ + q₂)² / r²

we join this equation with equation 1

F₁ = k q₁ q₂ / r²

-F₂ = k (q₁ + q₂)²/4r²

q₁ = F₁ r² / k q₂

- F₂ = k (F₁ r² / k q₂ + q₂)²/4r²

Let's replace the values ​​and work out

- 0.0489 = 9 109 (0.110 0.573² / (9 10⁹ q₂) + q₂)² / 0.573²

- 0.0489 4 0.573²/9 10⁹ = (0.110 0.573² / (9 10⁹ q₂) + q₂)²

- 7.1356 10⁻¹² = (4.013 10⁻¹² / q₂ + q₂)²

- 7.1356 10⁻¹² = 1 / q₂² (4.013 10⁻¹² + q₂² )²

- 7.1356 10⁻¹² q₂² = (16.104 10⁻²⁴ + 4.013 10⁻¹² q₂² + q₂⁴

q₂⁴ + q₂² (4,013 10⁻¹² + 7,1356 10⁻¹²) + 16,104 10⁻²⁴ = 0

we change variables

q’ = q₂²

q'² + q' 11.1486 10⁻¹² + 16.104 10⁻²⁴ = 0

we solve this quadratic equation

q '= [- 11.1486 10⁻¹² ±√ ((11.1486 10⁻¹² )² - 4 16.104 10⁻²⁴)] / 2

q '= [- 11.1486 10 12 ±√ (59.8753 10⁻²⁴)] / 2

q '= [- 11.1486 ± 7.7379] / 2 10⁻¹²

q'1 = -1.70535 10⁻¹²

q'2 = -9.44325 10⁻¹²

q' = q₂²

q₂ = √ q'

q₂ = ± 1.306 10⁻⁶ C

q₂ = ± 3.073 10⁻⁶ C

since q 'is squared of these charges they can be positive or negative giving the same result.

User Ziwon
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