How Much Charge Do Repelling Styrofoam Balls Carry?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MightyMan11
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Balls
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the charge carried by three identical Styrofoam balls suspended in equilibrium, forming an equilateral triangle. The user determined the repulsive electric force acting on one ball to be 6.138e-3 N using Coulomb's law and tension components. The calculated charge was found to be q = 1.88e-7 C, but the user expressed uncertainty about its accuracy. Ultimately, the user confirmed that they solved the problem, indicating a successful resolution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Coulomb's Law for electric forces
  • Understanding of equilibrium in physics
  • Vector addition and components in physics
  • Basic knowledge of electric charge units (Coulombs)
NEXT STEPS
  • Review Coulomb's Law applications in electrostatics
  • Study vector addition techniques in physics
  • Explore equilibrium conditions in systems with multiple forces
  • Investigate common errors in charge calculations
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in electrostatics and force equilibrium analysis.

MightyMan11
Messages
13
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Three identical small Styrofoam balls (m = 1.84 g) are suspended from a fixed point by three nonconducting threads, each with a length of 46.5 cm and with negligible mass. At equilibrium the three balls form an equilateral triangle with sides of 30.0 cm. What is the common charge q carried by each ball?

Homework Equations


Coloumb's law

The Attempt at a Solution


I've figured out that the repulsive electric force acting on one ball is 6.138e-3 N.
This was done by figuring out the x-component of tension by using the weight.
After that, using coloumb's law, i got that
F = (9.99e10)(q2)
i then figured that the net force would equal F + F.
I added the two force vectors using the cosine law and splitting it into components and i arrive at
q = 1.88e-7 C
however, this seems to be wrong.

Can anyone help please?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I solved it!
Could a moderator please close this thread?
Thanks.
 

Similar threads

How Do You Calculate the Electric Charge on a Suspended Cork Ball?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Ball rolling in a magnetic field
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Electrostatic equilibrium between 3 styrofoam balls
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
11K
Calculating Charge and Force Using Coulomb's Law and Trigonometry
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
9K
Finding Angle of String with Two Charged Balls
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Three Charges in a Triangle problem
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
5K
Hanging pith balls on a thread...charge, Fg, Fe and tension
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Coulomb's Law: Calculating the Force between Two Charged Balls
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Electrostatics Basics -- 2 plastic balls hanging on threads attract each other
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Charged balls connected by spring
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K