Can you merge these equations and get acceleration

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around merging Newton's second law (m*a) with Coulomb's force equation (k*Q1*Q2/r) to derive acceleration for a charged body. Participants note that while initial acceleration can be calculated, the varying nature of force with distance complicates the validity of the formula. A numerical solution was attempted, leading to a second-order differential equation, indicating the complexity of the problem. It is emphasized that once charges begin to accelerate, the applicability of Coulomb's law diminishes. Ultimately, the consensus is that while the initial formula provides a starting point, it cannot fully account for the dynamic nature of the forces involved.
locika
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m*a=k*Q1*Q2/r
equalizing Newton's first law and coulomb's force to get acceleration of the specific charged body.
 
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I see one equation. And yes, solving for acceleration is as simple as dividing one factor to the other side (note: you are missing the square on your factor 'r').
 
brainpushups said:
I see one equation. And yes, solving for acceleration is as simple as dividing one factor to the other side (note: you are missing the square on your factor 'r').
Thanks, and because force changes across distance then acceleration wouldn't be constant so is this a valid formula
 
locika said:
m*a=k*Q1*Q2/r
equalizing Newton's first law and coulomb's force to get acceleration of the specific charged body.
I trield very hard to solve this equation, i came up with numerical solution, but the exact solution is a bessel x'' = kQq/(x^2 + y^2), a second order differential equation, good luck !
 
locika said:
m*a=k*Q1*Q2/r
equalizing Newton's first law and coulomb's force to get acceleration of the specific charged body.
For sure there are more competent members here to answer this but I don't think it is possible to merge these two equations since ther nature of the two forces involved is different.
 
locika said:
Thanks, and because force changes across distance then acceleration wouldn't be constant so is this a valid formula

Answer: kind of.

The acceleration is valid for the 'initial' acceleration of the charges. The problem is not that the acceleration varies with position (of course, what you have is a differential equation), the problem is that, once the charges are accelerating, Coulomb's force law is no longer valid.
 
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