Coloumbs law question (checking answer)

  • Thread starter Thread starter romakarol
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Coloumbs law Law
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 6K views
romakarol
Messages
13
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement


Two spherical objects are separated by a distance of 2.5 x 10-3 m. The objects are initially electrically neutral and are very small compared to the distance between them. Each object acquires the same negative charge due to the addition of electrons. As a result each object experiences an electrostatic force that has a magnitude of 5.75 x 10-3 N. How many electrons did it take to produce the charge on one of the objects.

Homework Equations


F=(k)[(q1xq2)/r2] coloumbs law[/B]

F=electrostatic force
r=distance
k=8.99x10^9
q1/q1=charge on each object

The Attempt at a Solution



d=2.5x10^-3 metres (given)
F=5.75x10^-3 (given)
q1/q2=to be found
[/B]
I changed moved the formula to leave q1/q2 on one side, giving me:
r^2(F/k)=(q1)(q2)

with values plugged in it boiled down to:
4X10^-18=q1(q2)

Since q1 and q2 have the same charge, I figured it'd be fair to say
4x10^-18=q^2

therefore
q=square root of (4x10^-18)
q=0.000000002 Coloumbs

then converted coloumbs to number of electrons giving me and answer of:
1.25x10^10 electrons

This is my first attempt of a question on this semester and I'm doing them as I'm going over the lecture notes, did I get it right?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
on Phys.org
Your result looks good. One might quibble about the significant figures, since your given distance value has only two and you've specified your result to three, but otherwise you've done very well.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: romakarol