2 spheres connected by wire, find tension

In summary, the tension in the wire is 4N because each sphere is contributing its own force on the string.
  • #1
vladimir69
130
0

Homework Statement


2 conducting spheres of radius r=0.5cm are connected by a long thin piece of conducting wire of length L=2metres. A charge of 60 micro Coulombs is put onto one of the spheres, find the tension T in the wire. Assume the charge is evenly distributed along the surface of the two spheres.


Homework Equations


[tex]F=k_{e}\frac{Qq}{r^2}[/tex]
[tex]Q=30\mu C[/tex]
Q is 30 micro Coulombs because I assumed that the charge would distribute evenly onto the surface of both spheres.

The Attempt at a Solution


This question was in the Gauss Law chapter of my book however I didn't use Gauss Law for this one.
I said
[tex]F_{12}=k_{e}\frac{Q^2}{L^2}[/tex]
[tex]F_{21}=-F_{12}[/tex]
So according to me each sphere is "pulling" the rope in opposite directions to produce a combined force of
[tex]F=2F_{12}[/tex]
The tension in the wire must balance this force otherwise it will break
So
[tex]F_{wire} = F=4N[/tex]
However the answer gives 2 Newtons which I can't convince myself is right because each sphere is contributing its own force on the string.
 
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  • #2
You are misunderstanding how tension is created. To create a tension F in a rope, for example, both ends must be pulled with the force F. The tension in the rope--or wire--is the force with which it pulls. The rope pulls each sphere with a force F, thus the tension is F, not 2F.
 
  • #3
OK thanks for that. I suppose one way of looking at it would be to consider the forces on one of the spheres, there is only the electric force and the tension, for the sphere to remain where it is these forces would have to be equal.

How about the case when the force is different on each end? What would be the tension then?

I always thought of tension as a mass suspended by a string with the string pulling up with the same force as the mass is pulling down.
 
  • #4
vladimir69 said:
I suppose one way of looking at it would be to consider the forces on one of the spheres, there is only the electric force and the tension, for the sphere to remain where it is these forces would have to be equal.
Sounds good.

How about the case when the force is different on each end? What would be the tension then?
If the external forces on the spheres were different, you'd have to calculate the tension based on the net force and acceleration. But there would be a single tension throughout the rope, assuming it's massless.

I always thought of tension as a mass suspended by a string with the string pulling up with the same force as the mass is pulling down.
Good, that works. Realize that whatever's connected to the other end of the rope--the ceiling, perhaps--is also pulling up with the same force.
 
  • #5
Thanks for clearing that up, the bit at the end was what I was missing - the ceiling is pulling up with the same force.
 

1. What is tension?

Tension is the force that is exerted on an object when it is pulled or stretched.

2. How is tension calculated?

Tension is calculated by dividing the force applied to an object by the cross-sectional area of the object.

3. Why is tension important in the context of 2 spheres connected by wire?

In the case of 2 spheres connected by wire, tension is important because it is the force that keeps the spheres connected and prevents them from separating.

4. What factors affect the tension in a wire connecting 2 spheres?

The factors that affect tension in a wire connecting 2 spheres include the length and thickness of the wire, the weight of the spheres, and the force applied to the spheres.

5. How can the tension in a wire connecting 2 spheres be increased?

The tension in a wire connecting 2 spheres can be increased by increasing the force applied to the spheres or by using a stronger and thicker wire.

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