# Homework Help: Point charges in electric field

1. Aug 26, 2013

### tuggler

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A metal sphere hangs from a string and has 6 kg of mass. The sphere has a charge of +3.7 µC. A uniform electric field is turned on and directed to the right.

(a). What is the electric force on the metal sphere if the magnitude of the electric field is
106 N/C?

(b). When the sphere reaches equilibrium, what is the angle that the string makes with the vertical axis (assuming the same electric field as part (a))?

2. Relevant equations

$$F =ma$$ and $$F = Eq$$

3. The attempt at a solution

I worked out (a) and got the force to be 3.7 N, but I don't know how to do part (b)?

2. Aug 27, 2013

### voko

When the sphere is in equilibrium, the sum of all the forces acting on must be zero. What are the forces?

3. Aug 27, 2013

### tuggler

One of the force is the electric field moving the sphere to the right. But since you said the sum of all the forces acting on must be zero hence the sphere is in equilibrium doesn't it mean that there is no angle?

4. Aug 27, 2013

### voko

Any other forces?

No, this does not follow. A balance scale, for example, may have many possible equilibrium positions, depending on the masses, and in all those positions the net force is zero.

5. Aug 27, 2013

### Staff: Mentor

In (a), is that 106 N/C or 106 N/C?

6. Aug 27, 2013

### tuggler

Gneill - Sorry, you're correct, it is 10^6 N/C.

Voko - Thanks for clearing that misconception. And to answer you question, there is also a gravitational force and an electric force.

7. Aug 27, 2013

### voko

The electric force acts horizontally. The gravitational force acts vertically. The sum of just these two forces can never be zero.

8. Aug 27, 2013

### tuggler

Hmm, I am still not understanding how to do the question.

9. Aug 27, 2013

### Staff: Mentor

Draw the FBD for the sphere. You've calculated the magnitude of the electric force and you should know the direction in which it acts. You've stated that gravity is also acting. You know which direction that acts. So pencil them in. What's their net?

For the the sphere to be stationary the net force must be zero. So what additional force must balance the action of the others?

10. Aug 27, 2013

### gprd3

I'm just going to add to what others have been saying.

First you will want to draw a free body diagram for your sphere. Being able to visualize the situation will simplify the problem. Remember to include all the forces acting on the sphere: there's the force of gravity, the force of the electric field and don't forget that the STRING will provide TENSION. So there are three forces you should include. Also, be sure to identify where the string is when at rest (just hanging) which will help you find on the FBD the angle you need to calculate (this isn't really necessary but it will help you visualize the situation).

That was the hardest part. Now, when in equilibrium, the net force on the sphere will be zero. This mean that $\sum F_y=0$ and $\sum F_x=0$. Set both equation using data from your FBD. You will have two unknowns. Fortunately, we also have two equations! Finishing the problem should not be hard from here.

11. Aug 27, 2013

### tuggler

You guys helped tremendously! Drawing a picture helped a lot. I got the degree to be 3.6 because the gravity pulling the sphere down was calculated to be F = ma = 6kg(9.8m/s^2) = 58. 8 N. I already calculated the electric force which exerts a force of 3.7 N to the right of the sphere. Then with these two forces I drew a picture and calculated the angle between them by using tan^-1(3.7/58.8) = 3.6 degrees.

Thanks again!