Electric potential energy finding velocities

[jbutle54]

Two metal balls of mass m1=3.41g (diameter=3.41mm) and m2=7.88g (diameter=7.88mm) have positive charges of q1=1.41nC and q2=9.19nC. A force holds them in place so that their centers are separated by 8.79mm. What will their velocities be after the force is removed and they are separated by a large distance?

v1=?
v2=?



Can someone help me with which equations to use and any other info that would be helpful thanks



I've tried several equations but gotten wrong answers everytime.

 

[tiny-tim]

welcome to pf!

hi jbutle54! welcome to pf!

Can someone help me with which equations to use and any other info

have you used conservation of momentum (ie centre of mass remains stationary)?

 

[jbutle54]

Yes I did. I end up with 2 variables and I plugged one into the other and still cannot figure it out.

 

[tiny-tim]

should have worked …

show us your calculations ​

 

[jbutle54]

wow ok

E= (kq1q2)/d k=8.99*10^9 q1=5 q2=8 d=.008

E ends up to be 4.495*10^13


m1v1=m2v2 .5(.0025)v1^2 + .5(.008)v2^2=E

ends up
v1=-1.06*10^8
v2=-1.579*10^6

which is wrong it should equal
v1=0.1m/s
v2=0.07m/s

 

[tiny-tim]

Two metal balls of mass m1=3.41g (diameter=3.41mm) and m2=7.88g (diameter=7.88mm) have positive charges of q1=1.41nC and q2=9.19nC.

E= (kq1q2)/d k=8.99*10^9 q1=5 q2=8 d=.008

erm …

are we doing the same question? ​