Electrostatic force between to spheres

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the electrostatic force between two solid half-charged spheres, specifically comparing the net force in two different arrangements. Participants are exploring the implications of distance and charge distribution in a three-dimensional context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning how the arrangement of the spheres affects the electrostatic force, particularly in three dimensions. Some are considering the Coulomb force law and its dependence on distance and charge, while others are attempting to visualize the electric field of a half-sphere.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing different perspectives on the problem. Some have offered insights about the relationship between distance and force, while others express uncertainty about the charge distribution and its impact on the net force.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a textbook argument suggesting that the net force remains the same, which some participants are questioning. The complexity of visualizing the electric field in three dimensions is also noted as a challenge.

oronanschel
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
given to solid half charged sphere Insulators.

In which state the mutual net force is bigger: A/B/the same

KNSdL.jpg
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No idea how to attempt it?
The force depends on two things. Look at the Coulomb force law formula to see what they are. You will find that one of them is the same for both arrangements, but the other is different. With some thought you can approximate that quantity for each situation and then the formula will tell you which results in the larger force.
 
if it was 2d then it an obv that B (because distance is shorter)
but i can't get a grasp of it 3d and could't compute either.

i tried to think what is the shape of the field of half sphere but
couldn't do it either.

the weird thing is that, the book argue that the net force is the same
and i think it is not
 
Going from A to B, you have flipped the large half-sphere so its center of charge is closer to the center of the smaller half-sphere. That will increase the force. Yes, it is difficult to figure out exactly where the center of charge is, but certainly it is in the interior of the hemisphere. That alone is sufficient to prove smaller distance for B, isn't it?
 

Similar threads

Why is source force + electrostatic force = 0 inside battery?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Please help with this suggested solution involving electrostatic press
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Potential energy of an electrostatic system in equilibrium
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Static equilibrium | Uniform sphere on incline | Determining friction
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
2K
Potential energy due to an external charge and a grounded sphere
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
8K
Induced charge on a conducting sphere sliced by a plane
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Point charge with very thin metal sheet along a spherical surface
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
What is the net electrostatic force of the sphere at the origin?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Investigating the Charge Distribution on a Bulging Sphere
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Force between point charges at the center of two spherical shells
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K