Help with with finding the magnitude of a charge

  • Thread starter Thread starter dasblack
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Charge Magnitude
Click For Summary
To find the magnitude of charge Q balancing a 1.0 kg object against another charge, the gravitational force (9.8 N) is equated to the electrostatic force using Coulomb's law. The calculations yield a charge of approximately 24.4 μC. The approach involves setting the forces equal and solving for Q, confirming that the method is correct. The final answer is validated as 24 μC. This method effectively demonstrates the relationship between gravitational and electrostatic forces.
dasblack
Messages
11
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


The weight of a 1.0 kg object of charge Q is just balanced by another object of equal but opposite charge fixed to a support 74 cm above it. What is the magnitude of the charge Q (in μC)?

Homework Equations


F=ke|q1||q2| / r^2
F=ma

The Attempt at a Solution


F=(1kg)(9.8m/s^2) = 9.8

9.8=8.99e9(q^2) / .74^2 = 24.4 uC
I think that's the right way, I'm not too sure.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
dasblack said:

Homework Statement


The weight of a 1.0 kg object of charge Q is just balanced by another object of equal but opposite charge fixed to a support 74 cm above it. What is the magnitude of the charge Q (in μC)?


Homework Equations


F=ke|q1||q2| / r^2
F=ma


The Attempt at a Solution


F=(1kg)(9.8m/s^2) = 9.8

9.8=8.99e9(q^2) / .74^2 = 24.4 uC

Hmmm...

Yes equating the attrative force of electromagnetism to it's weight is the right way to go about the problem

0 = (kQq / r2) - mg

mg = (kQ2 / r2)

mgr2 = (kQ2

mgr / k = Q2

sqrt{ (mgr / k) } = Q

If that is what you've done then good on you! Numerically my answer comes out at: 2.84*10-5 C

In μC , 24μC I think...

Hope this helps!
Haths
 
Haths said:
Hmmm...

Yes equating the attrative force of electromagnetism to it's weight is the right way to go about the problem

0 = (kQq / r2) - mg

mg = (kQ2 / r2)

mgr2 = (kQ2

mgr / k = Q2

sqrt{ (mgr / k) } = Q

If that is what you've done then good on you! Numerically my answer comes out at: 2.84*10-5 C

In μC , 24μC I think...

Hope this helps!
Haths

Yes, 24.4 is the answer, thank you for the help.
 
Thread 'Correct statement about size of wire to produce larger extension'
The answer is (B) but I don't really understand why. Based on formula of Young Modulus: $$x=\frac{FL}{AE}$$ The second wire made of the same material so it means they have same Young Modulus. Larger extension means larger value of ##x## so to get larger value of ##x## we can increase ##F## and ##L## and decrease ##A## I am not sure whether there is change in ##F## for first and second wire so I will just assume ##F## does not change. It leaves (B) and (C) as possible options so why is (C)...

Similar threads

Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
8K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
14K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
6K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
8K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
10K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K