Electrostatic force between two objects

AI Thread Summary
To determine the number of electrons to transfer between two charged objects A and B to achieve a specific attractive electrostatic force, Coulomb's law is applied. Object A has a charge of +1.18C and object B has a charge of -0.937C, with a separation of 2.46 cm. The goal is to create a force of 32.3 N, but calculations have led to a quadratic equation yielding imaginary results. Participants are encouraged to share their full calculations to identify errors and provide assistance. Accurate handling of charge signs is crucial for resolving the issue.
chaslltt
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Homework Statement


Two small objects, A and B, are fixed in place and separated by 2.46 cm in a vacuum. Object A has a charge of +1.18C, and object B has a charge of -0.937C. How many electrons must be removed from A and put onto B to make the electrostatic force that acts on each object an attractive force whose magnitude is 32.3 N?



Homework Equations


I using Coulombs law and I am plugging Qa+Q for Qa and Qb-Q for Qb. I end up getting a quadratic but only getting imaginary results


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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chaslltt said:
I using Coulombs law and I am plugging Qa+Q for Qa and Qb-Q for Qb. I end up getting a quadratic but only getting imaginary results
Show exactly what you did. (Careful with signs.)
 
hi chaslltt! :wink:

show us your full calculations, and then we'll see what went wrong, and we'll know how to help! :smile:
 

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