Force between conducting spheres

AI Thread Summary
When two identical conducting spheres with charges of +6µC and -2µC are touched together, they share their charges equally, resulting in both spheres having a charge of +2µC. After being separated again, the new force between them is calculated using the formula F=(kq1q2)/r². Since both spheres now have the same positive charge, the force becomes repulsive. The resulting force is -F/3, indicating a change from attractive to repulsive due to the equal charges. The initial assumption about the net charge remaining constant was incorrect, as the redistribution of charge alters the force significantly.
dekonig
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
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.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
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
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Work done to insert a point charge 𝑞 at the center of a conducting sphere
Replies
12
Views
1K
Induced charge on a conducting sphere sliced by a plane
Replies
2
Views
1K
Charge on a grounded conducting sphere in a uniform electric field, after ungrounding and movement
Replies
1
Views
1K
Induced polarization for collision between conducting spheres
Replies
4
Views
1K
Electric field external to Conducting Hollow Sphere with charge inside
Replies
23
Views
3K
Charge rearrangement on conducting spheres
Replies
21
Views
4K
Understanding the Interaction Between a Charged Rod and a Metal Sphere
Replies
6
Views
2K
Electric field problem — Changing the charge on two spheres
Replies
3
Views
1K
Conducting sphere with chrage in centre
Replies
1
Views
1K
Electric field direction on a grounded conducting sphere
Replies
4
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top