Electric force calculate the separation

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two charges with the same charge and mass that are moving with the same acceleration. The objective is to calculate the separation between them, considering the forces acting on the charges.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between force, charge, and separation, referencing Coulomb's law. There are questions about the validity of the given answer and the implications of the charges being the same. Some participants suggest that the separation may not be constant and could depend on time or initial conditions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the potential misunderstanding of the problem's conditions, particularly concerning the nature of the charges and their motion.

Contextual Notes

There is a note about the potential mismatch in units of the given answer, and participants are questioning whether the problem statement is accurately represented. The assumption that the charges are identical is also under scrutiny.

Young wolf
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Homework Statement


two charges with the same charge q and mass m are moving with the same acceleration at each instant. calculate the separation between them.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


F=kqq/r^2
so, F= k q^2/r^2
r^2=kq^2/F
let the acceleration be a, then F=ma.
r= q√k/F
=q/√4πε0ma
but the answer given is q/√4πε0m
where did I go wrong ? can someone explain please?
 
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You should make brackets for square roots and denominators, otherwise it is unclear where the fraction ends.

The given answer has mismatching units, it cannot be correct.
 
Their separation is a function of time and initial displacement, not constant, yes?
They can't be co-orbital since they repel rather than attract each other.
?
 
Young wolf said:
two charges with the same charge q and mass m are moving with the same acceleration at each instant. calculate the separation between them.
Is that an exact copy of the problem as given to you? As rude man points out, the separation cannot be constant. That being so, one would normally expect the answer to be as a function of time. You have found it as a function of the instantaneous acceleration.

More likely, they are supposed to be equal and opposite charges. In that case, the acceleration can be constant, and the answer you found is still valid. I suggest that the given answer has omitted the acceleration by mistake.
 

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