Finding mass using charges and accerleration

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the mass of a balloon that carries a negative charge, influenced by the electric force from a charged rod above it. The scenario includes specific charge values and a distance between the two objects, along with an acceleration value provided in the problem statement.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to relate the electric force and gravitational force to find the mass, expressing confusion about how to incorporate the gravitational force into their calculations. Some participants suggest that the balloon may be in equilibrium, which could provide insights into its acceleration and force relationships.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the relationship between the forces acting on the balloon and its acceleration. There is a suggestion that using the equation relating electric force, gravitational force, and mass could lead to a solution, although the original poster remains uncertain about how to proceed with the calculations.

Contextual Notes

The problem does not provide explicit values for gravitational force, which is a point of confusion for the original poster. The acceleration of the balloon is given as 1.5 m/s² toward the rod, which is a critical piece of information for the discussion.

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Homework Statement


A rod carrying a charge of 8.0uc held above a balloon carrying a charge of -.70 uc. at a height of 30cm. find the mass of the balloon

Homework Equations


fe= (q1*q2)/r^2[/B]
F=ma

The Attempt at a Solution


I do not want this problem solved for me I am very trapped at this moment. finding the electric force is easy but I cannot see how to find the mass because the fg is depended on the mass to calculate so if I do a force chart and set the sum of the forces in the y to Fe-Fg=ma with fg=-(mg) makes me stuck i need some assistance in how to actually work this problem like what correlation am I not seeing because the answer alone does not help me.
Thank you[/B]
 
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It is not clearly stated, but I think the balloon is in equilibrium here, so you know its acceleration.
 
mfb said:
It is not clearly stated, but I think the balloon is in equilibrium here, so you know its acceleration.
oh I forgot to add that the question lists the acceleration which was 1.5m/s/s toward the rod. what it wants me to find is the mass of the balloon using the charges listed and the distance between the two objects and somewhere in there using the acceleration I am just completely stumped on how to find the Fg in order to calculate the mass.
 
Oh, okay.

Fine, you can still use Fe-Fg=ma. Plug in Fg and Fe you found (you don't have a numerical value for Fg yet, but that does not matter), you also know a, so the mass is the last unknown variable in the equation.
 

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