Question

Two small plastic spheres each have a mass of 1.1 g and a charge of -50.0 nC . They are placed 2.1 cm apart (center to center). A. What is the magnitude of the electric force on each sphere? B. By what factor is the electric force on a sphere larger than its weight?

Answer 1

Answer:

Part a)

F = 0.051 N

Part b)

Both spheres will follow Newton's III law of action reaction force so both sphere will have same force of equal magnitude.

Explanation:

Part a)

Electrostatic force between two charged spherical balls is given as

$F = \frac{kq_1q_2}{r^2}$

here we will have

$q_1 = q_2 = 50 nC$

here the distance between the center of two balls is given as

$r = 2.1 cm = 0.021 m$

now we will have

$F = \frac{(9\times 10^9)(50 \times 10^{-9})(50 \times 10^{-9})}{0.021^2}$

$F = 0.051 N$

Part b)

Both spheres will follow Newton's III law of action reaction force so both sphere will have same force of equal magnitude.