How Is Electric Force Balancing a Suspended Charged Ball in a Capacitor?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the charge on each plate of a capacitor that balances a suspended charged ball. The ball, with a mass of 6.10 x 10-3 kg and a charge of +0.150 µC, hangs at a 30.0° angle from the vertical. The equilibrium condition requires that the electric force (Fe = qE) equals the gravitational force acting on the ball. The area of each capacitor plate is 0.0150 m2, and the correct calculation method involves determining the gravitational force and applying the force balance equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric force and gravitational force concepts
  • Knowledge of capacitor fundamentals and electric fields
  • Ability to apply trigonometric functions in physics problems
  • Familiarity with static equilibrium conditions
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the gravitational force acting on the ball using F = mg
  • Learn about electric field strength (E) in capacitors
  • Explore the relationship between charge, electric field, and force
  • Study static equilibrium problems in physics for deeper understanding
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in electrostatics and capacitor behavior in static equilibrium scenarios.

stuplato
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A small plastic ball of mass 6.10 10-3 kg and charge +0.150 µC is suspended from an insulating thread and hangs between the plates of a capacitor (see the drawing). The ball is in equilibrium, with the thread making an angle of 30.0° with respect to the vertical. The area of each plate is 0.0150 m2. What is the magnitude of the charge on each plate?
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I tried several times and the most reasonable answer I get is .9715 m but wrong... Thanks in advance
 
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Please show your work.

This is a statics problem. The electric force = Fe = qE must equal the restoring force for a net force of zero on the ball.

Start by determing the restoring force on the ball, i.e. the gravitational force. Write out the force balance equation.
 

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