Coulomb's Torsion balance explanation?

In summary, Coulomb's torsion balance explanation is a scientific concept that explains the relationship between electrical charges and the force of attraction or repulsion between them. It involves a torsion balance, which consists of a light, horizontal rod suspended from a thin thread or wire, and two identical charged objects placed at a fixed distance from each other. The force between the objects is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This concept is used in modern science in various fields, such as electromagnetism and particle physics, and forms the basis for mathematical equations related to electrical forces and fields.
  • #1
christian0710
409
9
Hi, I'd really like to understand How a torsion balance works and exactly how You can use math to derive the Coulombs law. Is thre a good - realtively easy to understand - video or do someone have some good notes explaining exactly how it works? I'd really appreicate it.
 
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  • #2
A Google search for "coulomb torsion balance" led me to these instructions for an undergraduate laboratory apparatus for this experiment:

ftp://ftp.pasco.com/support/Documents/English/ES/ES-9070/012-03760E.pdf
 

Question 1: What is Coulomb's torsion balance explanation?

Coulomb's torsion balance explanation is a scientific concept that explains the relationship between electrical charges and the force of attraction or repulsion between them. It was first proposed by French physicist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb in the late 18th century.

Question 2: How does a torsion balance work?

A torsion balance consists of a light, horizontal rod suspended from a thin thread or wire. On either side of the rod, there are two identical charged objects placed at a fixed distance from each other. The force of attraction or repulsion between the two objects causes the rod to twist, and the amount of twist is proportional to the strength of the force.

Question 3: What is the relationship between force and distance in Coulomb's torsion balance explanation?

Coulomb's torsion balance explanation states that the force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This means that as the distance between the objects increases, the force of attraction or repulsion decreases.

Question 4: What are the units of measurement for electrical force in Coulomb's torsion balance explanation?

In Coulomb's torsion balance explanation, the force between two charged objects is measured in newtons (N). The unit of measurement for charge is coulombs (C), and the unit of measurement for distance is meters (m).

Question 5: How is Coulomb's torsion balance explanation used in modern science?

Coulomb's torsion balance explanation is a fundamental concept in electromagnetism and is used in many areas of modern science, such as in the design of electrical circuits, understanding the behavior of particles in accelerators, and studying the effects of electric fields on biological systems. It also forms the basis for the mathematical equations used to describe electrical forces and fields.

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