Given total charge, find individual charges.

AI Thread Summary
To find the individual charges on two metal spheres with a total charge of 7.47x10^-6 C and a repulsive force of 15.5011 N when 6.35 cm apart, the relevant equations are F=k Q1Q2/r^2 and Q1+Q2=7.47x10^-6 C. The first equation can be rearranged to express one charge in terms of the other, leading to a quadratic equation. The challenge arises in solving this quadratic equation for Q1, which is necessary to determine the individual charges. The discussion emphasizes the need to correctly apply algebraic methods to solve the quadratic formed from these relationships.
psilovethomas
Messages
14
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A total charge of 7.47x10^-6 C is distributed on two different small metal spheres. When the spheres are 6.35 cm apart, they each feel a repulsive force of 15.5011 N. How much charge is on each sphere?

Homework Equations



F=k Qq/r^2
Q1+Q2=7.47x10^-6C

The Attempt at a Solution


Using the second equation, I put the first equation in terms of Q1 to get F=k Q1(7.47X10^-6 - Q1)/r^2, but I cannot solve for Q1
 
Physics news on Phys.org
psilovethomas said:
Using the second equation, I put the first equation in terms of Q1 to get F=k Q1(7.47X10^-6 - Q1)/r^2, but I cannot solve for Q1
Why not? It's a quadratic equation.
 

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

How do I find the other charge using electric potential?
Replies
3
Views
1K
How to find distance between 2 charges, with no force given?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Electric field external to Conducting Hollow Sphere with charge inside
Replies
23
Views
3K
Gauss' Law question about a conducting rod
Replies
3
Views
2K
Calculating distance between charged Balls
Replies
10
Views
2K
Finding the value of the electric charge
Replies
8
Views
3K
Finding the New Acceleration Given Point Charges
Replies
10
Views
6K
How Can Two Point Charges Be Arranged to Nullify Electric Field at the Origin?
Replies
9
Views
4K
Calculate the total force on Q1
Replies
3
Views
4K
A positive charge of magnitude Q1 = 8.5 nC is located....
Replies
2
Views
8K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top