Speed of two charged, insulated spheres?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two insulating spheres with given radii, masses, and charges that are released from rest and move towards each other due to electrostatic forces. The objective is to determine their speeds at the moment of collision, utilizing concepts from conservation of energy and momentum.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the electrostatic force acting on the spheres and the implications of their charges. There is an acknowledgment that the acceleration of the spheres is not constant due to the changing force as they approach each other. Some participants express uncertainty about how to proceed with the problem given these complexities.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the implications of conservation laws. A hint has been provided regarding the use of conservation of energy and momentum, but there is no consensus on the approach to take next.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the non-constant acceleration of the spheres as they move closer, which complicates their calculations. There is also a hint suggesting the use of conservation principles, but the original poster indicates uncertainty about their methods and assumptions.

XianForce
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Homework Statement



Two insulating spheres have radii 0.300 cm and 0.500 cm, masses 0.450 kg and 0.700 kg, and uniformly distributed charges of -2.00 µC and 3.00 µC. They are released from rest when their centers are separated by 1.00 m.
(a) How fast will each be moving when they collide? (Hint: Consider conservation of energy and of linear momentum.)

Homework Equations


F = keq1q2/r2
v = at + v0
Δs = v0t + .5at2


The Attempt at a Solution



I found the electrostatic force on the objects. Since they have opposite charges, I know that they move towards each other. I found their accelerations by dividing by their respective masses, and then plugged those into some of the kinematics equations to find the final velocity.

I can see that my methods/assumptions are wrong, I'm just not exactly sure about how to go about this problem.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Acceleration isn't constant as force increases while spheres get closer
 
szynkasz said:
Acceleration isn't constant as force increases while spheres get closer

Yes, but then how do I solve it?
 
Your hint says you should use the law of conservation energy and momentum.
 

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