Electrostatic Force Question: Am I Right?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the electrostatic force acting on a pith ball suspended by a string when another equally charged pith ball is brought close. The pith balls, each with a mass of 1.5g, reach an equilibrium position 2.6cm apart, with the string making a 20-degree angle with the vertical. The original poster suggests that the electrostatic force can be calculated using the formula mgtan(θ). Participants in the thread are expected to confirm or correct this approach to ensure accurate calculations. The inquiry highlights the relationship between gravitational and electrostatic forces in a charged system.
Inquiring_Mike
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Here is the question...
A pith ball of mass 1.5g is suspended along a string which is attached to a non movable point, when a pith ball of equal charge and mass is brought close to the original pith ball. A state of equilibrium is reached and the pith balls are 2.6cm apart and the string attached to the suspended ball makes an angle of 20 with the vertical. Calculate the electrostatic force.

I think that the electrostatic force would just be mgtan(pheta)... Is that right?
 
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