Force between conducting spheres

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the electric force between two identical conducting spheres, X and Y, with initial charges of +6µC and -2µC, respectively. Upon touching, the spheres redistribute their charges equally, resulting in +2µC on both spheres. The new force between them, calculated using Coulomb's Law (F = k * q1 * q2 / r²), becomes -F/3, indicating a repulsive force due to like charges after they are separated again.

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X and Y are two identical conducting spheres separated by a distance d. X has a charge of +6µC and Y has a charge of -2µC. The electric force between them is +F (i.e. attractive). The spheres are touched together and are then returned to their original separation d. What is the new value of the force between them?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I assumed that since the net charge should remain the same after, there would be no change in the value of the force, but the answer scheme gives the answer as -F/3.
 
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What happens with the charge if the conducting spheres touch each other?
 
thanks for the reply man, i think i got it. The charges become +2µC on both sphere X and Y, at which point it's just subbing the before and after values for the charge into F=(kq1q2)/r2, and since, they're now like charged, the force becomes a repulsive one, hence -F/3
 

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