Calculating Angle and Distance of Separation for Repelling Charged Spheres

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the angle θ formed by two repelling charged spheres, each with a mass of 5g and charged to +91nC. The relevant equations include the gravitational force (F = mg), Coulomb's law (F = Kq1q2/r²), and the sine function for angle calculation (sin θ = opp/hyp). The solution involves determining the distance of separation (r) after repulsion to solve for θ, utilizing the relationships between tension, gravitational force, and the geometry of the setup.

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1. Homework Statement []

Two spheres each of 5g, tied to 1.0m strings, repel each other after being charged to +91nC of the two spheres . What is the angle θ they form with the vertical after repulsion

Homework Equations



(1) F = mg...m=5.0g, g= 9.8m/s^2
(2) F = Kq1q2/r^2 ...q1=q2=q=+91nC, r = distance of separation after repulsion= ?,K = electrostatic constant = 9.0 x10^9 Nm^2/C^2
(3) sin θ= opp /hyp...opp = r/2, hyp = 1.0m, θ = angle with the vertical axis = ?
(4) ∑Fx = 0
(5) ∑Fy = 0

The Attempt at a Solution


I need to find the distance of separation (r) after repulsion, so I can solve for θ using the sin θ equation (3).I did the sum of the horizontal and vertical forces, using equation (4 & 5), substituted T =mg/cosθ,(obtained from the summation of vertical forces equation) in the horizontal forces equation (4) to eliminate the unknown T (tension in the string) but I get stuck with two unknowns r and θ
 
Last edited:
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If I understand the set up correctly, write (3) like r = 2 sin θ and use this in your ∑Fx=0 equation together with T = mg/cosθ to leave only θ.
 
@CAF123...Aaah but yes of course thank you!
 

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