Calculating Charge and Tension in a System of Suspended Spheres

  • Thread starter Thread starter awill2007
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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the charge on suspended spheres and the tensions in the strings holding them. The context includes charged spheres positioned above another charged sphere, with specific dimensions provided for their arrangement.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need for free body diagrams and question the presence of gravitational forces acting on the spheres. There is uncertainty about how to approach the calculation of tension and the relationship between electric force and charge.

Discussion Status

The discussion is in an early stage, with participants expressing confusion and seeking clarification on foundational concepts. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of free body diagrams, but no consensus or clear direction has emerged yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants have noted a lack of clarity regarding the setup and the forces involved, particularly whether the spheres are influenced by gravity. The original poster expresses feeling lost and is looking for a general direction before proceeding.

awill2007
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Homework Statement



A set of charged spheres were held suspended above another sphere with a charge of .1 C. The spheres are held by thin nylon strings (assume zero mass). Determine the charge on the suspended spheres and the tensions T1, T2, and T3.

The drawing looks like an upside down triangle with the top two spheres mass = .2 kg

the lengths of the triangle are .7m and .7m for the sides, and .6 for the base.

Homework Equations



I have no idea how to find tension. The charges are found using electric force eqn?

The Attempt at a Solution



i'm kinda lost, so i can't attempt until i have a general direction.

Please help me!:cry:
 
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Draw out free body diagrams. Are the spheres on Earth with weight?
 
here is the problem...
 

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can anyone help please?
 

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