Calculating Initial Acceleration: 63g Particle, 59μC Charge

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the initial acceleration of a particle with a specified mass and charge, influenced by another charged particle. The context is rooted in electrostatics and dynamics, specifically applying Coulomb's Law to determine the force acting on the particle and subsequently its acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Coulomb's Law and the conversion of mass from grams to kilograms. There are questions about unit consistency and the correct interpretation of charge values.

Discussion Status

Some participants have pointed out potential errors in unit conversion and charge values, while others are verifying their calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of the setup and assumptions, with no clear consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating between different unit systems (cgs and mks) and are addressing the implications of these conversions on their calculations. There is a focus on ensuring that all values are correctly represented before proceeding with further calculations.

Punchlinegirl
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A particle of mass 63 g and charge 59 [tex]\mu C[/tex] is released from rest when it is 71 cm from a second particle of charge -27 [tex]\mu C[/tex]. Determine the magnitude of the initial acceleration of the 63 g particle. Answer in units of m/s^2.

I used Coulomb's Law, F= [tex]1/4\pi \epsilon_o * (5.9 x10^-6 * -2.7 x 10^-6) / .71^2[/tex]
I know that E_o = 8.85 x 10^-12.
Solving this gave me .284.
Then I set it equal to ma.
63 a = .284
Solving for a gave me .00451 m/s^2.
Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong?
 
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Make sure the units are correct. If the force is in N, which it appears to be, then the mass must be in kg (0.063 kg = 63 g).

Perhaps it would be helpful to keep a chart of cgs and mks units available.
 
so if the rest of my setup is right, I get .063a= .284.
Solving for a gives me 4.51 m/s^2, which still isn't right.
Am I doing something else wrong?
 
59 microCoulombs = 59.E-6 C , not 5.9E-6 C
same for the 27 uC .
 

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