Is My Calculation for Charge Separation Correct?

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SUMMARY

The calculation for charge separation involving six objects, where the first five carry charge Q and the last is uncharged, is correctly analyzed. When the first object touches the last, it transfers charge x, leading to the equation Q = 2x. Subsequent interactions with the remaining charged objects yield a series of charges x, x/2, x/4, x/8, and x/16, culminating in a total charge of x(1 + 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + 1/16). This series converges to a total charge of x(31/16), confirming the correctness of the approach.

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Homework Statement


There are six object. First five are the same and carrying charge Q, the last one is uncharged. Let the first object touch with the second one, the uncharged one obtain x unit of charge. What 's the total charge will the last object get if we let the rest four objects contact with the it?

2. The attempt at a solution
The first object contact with the last one, which obtains x unit of charge, that means

Q - x = x

Namely, Q = 2x

After they touch, the objects are in same potential so

[tex] \frac{Q-x}{R_1} = \frac{x}{R_2}[/tex]

Since Q=2x, can we conclude that [tex]R_1 = R_2[/tex]? If so, now when the second Q-charged object touch the last object (which already charged x unit of charge now), we have

[tex] Q-x_1 = x+x_1 \qquad \textnormal{or} \qquad x_1 = \frac{x}{2}[/tex]

Similarly, when the third, fourth, and fifth Q-charged object touch the last object separately, we have

[tex] Q-x_2 = (x+x_1) + x_2 \qquad \textnormal{or} \qquad x_2 = \frac{x}{4}[/tex]

[tex] Q-x_3 = (x+x_1+x_2) + x_3 \qquad \textnormal{or} \qquad x_3 = \frac{x}{8}[/tex]

[tex] Q-x_4 = (x+x_1+x_2+x_3) + x_4 \qquad \textnormal{or} \qquad x_4 = \frac{x}{16}[/tex]

So finally, the total charge the last object obtains will be

[tex] x + x_1 + x_2 + x_3 + x_4 = x \left(1 + \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{8} + \frac{1}{16}\right)[/tex]

Is my solution correct?
 
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I asked somebody ealse and he e just said my calculation is wrong. I re-consider the problem and still don't know how to do it. Could anyone please help again?
 

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