Basic trigonometry in dynamics force problem

AI Thread Summary
The problem involves two spheres with equal mass and electric charge, hanging from threads that form a 60-degree angle due to repulsion. The solution uses trigonometric relationships to calculate the force and ultimately the charge on each sphere. The calculated charge value is approximately 1.7 x 10^-7 C, which matches the textbook answer. There is a discussion about alternative methods to solve the problem, highlighting a lack of understanding of trigonometric relations. The user seeks clarification on vector components and their application in this context.
Bunny-chan
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Homework Statement


Two spheres, with 0.5g each, are hanging by 30cm threads, tied on the same spot. The same electric charge is communicated to each sphere; in consequence, the threads move apart until they are about 60^\circ from each other. What is the value of the charge?

\theta = \frac{60^\circ}{2} = 30^\circ \\<br /> \\m = 0.5g = 0.0005kg\\ d = 30cm = 0.3m


Homework Equations


Not needed.

The Attempt at a Solution


So, what I did was the following:

\tan \theta = \frac{\vec F}{\vec P} \\ \Rightarrow \frac{\sqrt 3}{3} = \frac{\vec F}{m\vec g} = \frac{\vec F}{0.0005 \times 9.8} = \frac{\vec F}{0.005} \\ \Rightarrow \vec F = \frac{\sqrt 3}{3} \times 0.005 = 0.0028 \\k \frac{q^2}{d^2} = 0.0028 \\ \Rightarrow 9 \times 10^9 \times \frac{q^2}{0.3^2} = 2.8 \times 10^{-3} \\ \Rightarrow q^2 = \frac{(2.8 \times 10^{-3}) \times (9 \times 10^{-2})}{9 \times 10^9} = 2.8 \times 10^{-14} \\ \Rightarrow q = 1.7 \times 10^{-7}CMy result did match the answer in the textbook, but searching through the web, I came across a different way of solving it:

v6h0Lxr.png

The rest is just like mine, so I didn't bother putting it. Anyway, he reached the same result, but with a different method and trigonometric relations, which I'm quite lacking in and I couldn't understand very well yet.

Why did he conclude that
ca416d5dfd214713807a96b6c4bfef7d.png


and
56f040f51842463aa3cf040d13f2222e.png

?

I know I could just go on and ignore this because I already solved the exercise, but vectors are a puzzling topic for me and I feel like there's something I'm missing... I'd appreciate some help!
 
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i hope that help
prove.jpg
 
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the d part :
prove 2.jpg
 
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Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
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