Charge of a sphere, thin circular hoop

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the minimal charge required on a sphere to surpass a thin circular hoop that has a uniform charge distribution. The problem involves concepts from electrostatics, specifically Coulomb's law, and considerations of elastic forces related to the hoop's material properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the electric force exerted by the charged sphere and the elastic force of the hoop. There are discussions about the nature of the charges (attraction vs. repulsion) and how these forces interact. Some participants question the assumptions about the charges and the setup of the problem.

Discussion Status

The conversation is active, with participants attempting to clarify their understanding of the forces involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the calculation of forces, but there is no explicit consensus on the next steps or the correct interpretation of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the nature of the charges involved and the implications of the hoop's elasticity. Participants are also grappling with how to express the elastic force mathematically.

Oloria
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Homework Statement


What minimal charge should have a sphere of radius R to surpass a thin circular hoop of radius r that is uniformly distributed with the charge Q and made from resilient elastic. The elastic modulus (of resilience) is [tex]\Psi[/tex]. R>r

Homework Equations


Coulomb's law.

The Attempt at a Solution


IMO the electric force is [tex]F = \frac{k_e Q q}{R^2}[/tex]. What's then? I haven't got the slightest idea. Help me, please.
 
Last edited:
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Hi Oloria! :smile:

(have a psi: ψ :wink:)

The idea is to expand the hoop …

so what will be the "horizontal" radial force on the hoop if the charge on the sphere is -P ?
 
Hi tiny-tim :smile:

I think the electrici force got to be bacbalanced by a force connected with resilience. I think F~ψ but I don't know how to write it down properly.

I don't understand why you used "-P" and I don't know what answer you expect (I have already mentioned Coulomb's law).
 
Last edited:
Hi Oloria! :smile:

The sphere must have negative charge, so that it can repel the hoop, and make it bigger. :wink:

Forget the elastic force for the time being …

just calculate the "horizontal" radial electric force from the sphere on the hoop …

what do you get? :smile:
 
Repel? I thought there should be Q and -q so they attract each other. I don't understand :(

[tex]F = \frac{k_e Qq}{R^2}[/tex] I guess the distance between midpoints of these two objects is R. q is the charge on the sphere.
 
Oloria said:
Repel? I thought there should be Q and -q so they attract each other.

oops! :redface: i misread the question, yes it'll be Q and q, so the sphere makes the hoop larger :smile:
 
Q and -q, am I right?
And I don't know what to do next. Can you help me, please?
 
No, Q and q: the sphere must repel the hoop, so that the hoop is the same radius (R) as the sphere.

What is the electric force between a sphere of charge q and a hoop of charge Q that just fits onto the equator of the sphere?
 
[tex]F = \frac{k_e Qq}{R^2}[/tex]?
I thought the sphere will repel a hoop so it will be impossible to start surpassing (being so close of two objects). (When the sphere is in the hoop they have to repel each other so the hoop will be larger).
 
  • #10
It depends how fast you push the sphere, or whether the hoop is fixed somehow.

Anyway, now match the electric force with the elastic force. :smile:
 
  • #11
But I don't know how to write down the elastic forse. Could you help me?
 
  • #12
Consider an extremely small arc of angle 2θ radians …

if T is the tension in the hoop, and if the radial force is F/2π per radian, find the equation relating T and F, and then let θ tend to zero. :wink:

(alternatively, you could use the work-energy theorem)
 

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