Two uniformly charge spheres are firmly fastened

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the electrostatic forces between two uniformly charged spheres, where one sphere has a charge three times that of the other. Participants are analyzing force diagrams to determine the correct representation of the forces acting on the spheres.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are exploring the implications of the charge magnitudes and signs, questioning the correct force diagram representation. There is a focus on understanding the nature of the forces (repulsive) and their equal magnitudes.

Discussion Status

Some participants have suggested that option 5 is the correct representation of the forces, indicating a consensus on the direction and magnitude of the forces based on the charges' characteristics. However, there is no explicit agreement on the final choice, as the discussion is still open to interpretation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of the charges being of the same sign and the resulting repulsive forces, but there may be constraints related to the specific options provided for the force diagrams.

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Two uniformly charge spheres are firmly fastened to and electrically insulated from frictionless pucks on an air table. The charge on sphere 2 is three time the charge on sphere 1. Which force diagram correctly shows the magnitude and direction of the electrostatic forces: Explain

< -----Charge 1 Charge 2 -->

is this not correct? what should it be?
 
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What options are you given? If the charge on one is 3 times the charge on the other... then the charges are the same sign... hence they repel. the force on one sphere is equal and opposite to the force on the other sphere.
 
1. Charge 1---> Charge 2--------->

2. <---Charge 1 Charge 2-------->

3. <--------Charge 1 Charge 2--->

4. <--------Charge 1 <---Charge 2

5. <---Charge 1 Charge 2--->

6. Charge 1 Charge 2--->


So the magnitude of the force on each one would be the same so it would be option 5


repel each other so the forces are in opposite directions.. and they act upon each other in equal but opposite directions so the magnitude would be the same. OK #5 then.
 
yup. #5 looks right to me.
 

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