Force (potential, I think) to Kinetic Energy - Two charges

AI Thread Summary
Two charged particles, each with a mass of 7.7 x 10^-5 kg and opposite charges of +5.9 x 10^-6 C and -5.9 x 10^-6 C, are released from rest at a distance of 0.91 m apart. As they accelerate toward each other, the discussion focuses on calculating their speed when the separation is reduced to 0.455 m. The force between the charges is determined using Coulomb's law, and kinetic energy is calculated using the relationship between force and motion. There is uncertainty about how to account for both charges moving in opposite directions and whether the velocity in the kinetic energy equation represents each charge's speed. The conversation emphasizes the need to clarify the application of kinetic energy in this context.
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Two particles each have a mass of 7.7 x 10-5 kg. One has a charge of +5.9 x 10-6 C, and the other has a charge of -5.9 x 10-6 C. They are initially held at rest at a distance of 0.91 m apart. Both are then released and accelerate toward each other. How fast is each particle moving when the separation between them is one-half its initial value?

mass particle = 7.7x10^-5 kg
q1 = 5.9x10^-6 C
q2 = -5.9x10^-6 C
r0 = .91m
r1 = .455m
v0 = 0 m/s
v1 = ?

Homework Equations



F = kq1*q2/(r^2)
KE = .5 * m * v^2

The Attempt at a Solution



I believe the first thing to do would be to gather the force between the charges, using
F = k*q1*q2/(.91^2).

The next thing I think I should do is substitute F in for KE, in the equation
KE = .5 * m * v^2

One of the problems I'm not sure about is how the KE equation factor in two charges moving in opposite directions.

By substituting F for KE, am I already factoring in all the vectors I need?

edit: I think another way of describing what I'm feeling is: Is the velocity in the KE equation the velocity of each charge, regardless of direction?
 
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Oh, and if it helps explain, the charges are set up like:


<-----q1...q2----->
 
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