Solve Physics Question: 3.0g Copper Penny & 38uC Positive Charge

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jodi
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physics
Click For Summary
To solve the physics question regarding a 3.0g copper penny with a positive charge of 38μC, the correct approach involves calculating the number of electrons corresponding to the charge and the total number of electrons in the penny. The charge of an electron is essential for determining how many electrons contribute to the 38μC charge. Additionally, knowing that there are approximately 29 electrons per copper atom helps in calculating the total number of electrons in the penny. Ultimately, the solution reveals that the fraction of lost electrons is 1/(3.5E9).
Jodi
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
Hi; Could somebody please help me with this question: A 3.0g copper penny has a postive charge of 38uC. What fraction of its electrons has it lost?
The method I tried was: (3g/63.55g) x 6.02E23 x A(what I'm solving for) = 38xE-6. Than I took my answer and divided it by 29. However this will not give me the correct answer, and the correct answer is 1/(3.5E9). Can somebody please help me. Thank you so much.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Look at your units. You have a dimensionless number on the left side and coulombs on the right side. You need to factor in the charge on an electron.
 
Try a more systematic approach:

- How many electrons does it take to make up -38\mbox{\mu C} charge? (hint: use the electron charge)

- How many electrons are in 3.0g copper (when neutral)? (29 per copper atom)
 
Thanks...

Thanks guys, I figured this one out.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
13K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
12K
Replies
2
Views
12K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K