Charged Beads released, find maximum speed.

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two charged beads, each with specific masses and charges, that are released from a fixed distance apart. The objective is to determine the maximum speed achieved by each bead as they move due to their electrostatic interaction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster calculates the potential energy of the system but is uncertain about how to distribute this energy between the two beads. They also express confusion regarding the calculation of maximum acceleration and the nature of the force as the beads approach each other.
  • Participants question the direction of the force acting on the beads and discuss the implications of their negative charges on the interaction.
  • One participant reflects on the nature of the force between the beads and its behavior as they come closer together.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring various aspects of the problem, including the forces involved and the implications of the charges on the beads. Some guidance has been provided regarding the initial conditions and forces, but there remains uncertainty about the maximum force and acceleration as the beads approach each other.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of non-constant acceleration and the behavior of forces at small distances, with some assumptions about the nature of the charges being questioned.

Potato21
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Homework Statement



Bead A has a mass of 12.5 g and a charge of -7.74 nC. Bead B has a mass of 28.1 g and a charge of -10.7 nC. The beads are held 12.3 cm apart (measured between their centers) and released. What maximum speed is acheived by each bead? (Enter your answer for Bead A first.)

Homework Equations



U=Kq1q2/r

The Attempt at a Solution



I found the potential energy of the system as 6.06 x 10^-6 J but I don't know how to solve for the component of the potential that each bead would receive. Any ideas?

Thank you in advance.

EDIT: I figured it out. But now I need to use this same info to find maximum acceleration which is confusing me as it would be a non-constant acceleration that would peak when they were closest together. However, when calculating force between them I'm having trouble understanding how to calculate it as when the distance between the beads approaches zero, does the force not approach infinity?
 
Last edited:
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What's the direction of the force that's operating on each bead?
 
gneill said:
What's the direction of the force that's operating on each bead?

Towards the other bead. I got the correct answer by using the force they apply to each other when first released but I'm still confused as to why that's the maximum force. Would the force not get stronger the closer they get together?
 
So, you're saying that two negative charges will attract?
 
Oops, ok that explains it lol. Need to read that more carefully next time. Thanks!
 

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