Electric Force/ charge problem; missing electrons

In summary, the problem involves finding the number of missing electrons from a pith ball that is experiencing an electrostatic force of 4.5 x 10^-3 N towards a second pith ball with a net charge of 2.3 nC and a distance of 22 mm. Using the equations q= ne and F= kqq/r^2, the solution is calculated to be 6.58 x 10^11 missing electrons.
  • #1
UltrusViderat
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Homework Statement



How many electrons are missing from a pith ball which feels an electrostatic force of
4.5 x 10^-3 N torward a second pith ball 22 mm away with a net charge of 2.3 nC.

Homework Equations



q= ne; charge of an object equals the number of electrons x the charge of an electron

F= kqq/r^2


The Attempt at a Solution



F= kqq/r^2
q=(Fr^2)/kq

q=((4.5 x 10^-3 N)(0.022 m)^2)/((8.99 x 10^9)(2.3 x 10^-9))

q=1.05 × 10^-7
q=ne

(1.05 x 10^-7)/(1.6 x 10^-19)= 658,000,000,000= 6.58 x 10^11 electrons ? Is that right?
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
It looks good except it should be a repulsive force, if electrons are missing.

Plugging the unknown charge back in gives the Force OK.
 

1. What is the electric force?

The electric force is the attractive or repulsive force between two charged particles. It is caused by the interaction of their electric fields.

2. How is electric force calculated?

Electric force is calculated using Coulomb's Law, which states that the force between two charged particles is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

3. What is charge and how does it affect the electric force?

Charge is a fundamental property of matter that determines how it will interact with other matter. Like charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract. The greater the magnitude of charge, the stronger the electric force will be.

4. What happens when there are missing electrons in an object?

When there are missing electrons in an object, it becomes positively charged. This is because there are more positively charged protons than negatively charged electrons in the object, creating an imbalance of charge.

5. How can missing electrons be replenished in an object?

Missing electrons can be replenished through a process called charging by induction. This involves bringing a charged object near the positively charged object, causing the electrons to redistribute and balance out the charges.

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