Electrons transferred between charged plate and rod

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
Sign up Log in
4 replies · 3K views
Haniszmi
Messages
13
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A plate carries a charge of -3microC, while a rod carries a charge of +2microC. How many electrons must be transferred from the plate to the rod, so that both objects have the same charge?


Homework Equations


N= q/e


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried finding the amount of electrons and I stopped there, I really don't know how to go about with this problem.
 

Discussion

Physics news on Phys.org
Before worrying about electrons, how much charge (in microC) must be transferred from the plate?
 
Redbelly98 said:
Before worrying about electrons, how much charge (in microC) must be transferred from the plate?

1/2 microC's?
 
Haniszmi said:
1/2 microC's?

Let's see what happens in that case.

The -3 μC plate loses 0.5 μC, and so ends up with a charge of -3.5 μC.

The +2 μC rod gains +0.5 μC charge, ending up with 2.5 μC.

The final charges, -3.5 and +2.5 μC, are not equal. So no, it would not be 0.5 μC transferred.

The charges should be equal in magnitude and sign, (either both +, or both -) after the charge transfer.