Finding charge and mass on hanging strings

Yukoel

Hello nilesthebrave,
I assume your question says " there are two branches of the rope each containing the unknown charge with unknown mass at their ends ".From the free body diagram I get from this interpretation there are three concurrent forces on each charge namely the tension of the string(T),The weight (W) and electrostatic force of repulsion(F).The angles between them are clearly obtainable (using the inclination of one string as given).If you use lami's theorem for equilibrium in case of concurrent forces it is evident that you can at best obtain the ratio of the square of the charge to the mass.This is based on my interpretation though.You need to post a picture of your case.

regards
Yukoel

nilesthebrave

Thank you very much for all the replies.

I got to class and nobody had even touched this problem, so I may have done it wrong but I at least have some chicken scratches for partial credit.

I've included a diagram of what the problem looks like. It's too late for me to fix my answer but I still want to know how to solve such a problem for the sake of knowledge.

Also, does anybody know of a good Physics 2 textbook? I've ordered the one Berkeley uses since I've heard a few recommendations. Our school uses the W.H. Freeman and Company textbooks for the first three semesters of Physics, and what I have experienced so far with the first book and the first few chapters of the second book makes me longing for something that doesn't drip in suck.

Thanks again everyone!

nilesthebrave

Sorry for double post, but I forgot to upload the picture of the diagram.

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nilesthebrave

Sorry again, just not my day for technology. Here's a picture that's oriented properly.

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