Question

A mad scientist wants to collect massive amounts of charge on basketball sized aluminum balls. The scientist wants to place 6 C on one ball and 14 C on another. However, the maximum force between the balls must be limited to 8000 N. At what distance must the balls be placed apart?
____________ m

Answer 1

The distance between two basket ball sized aluminium balls is 9714 m.

Explanation:

Coulomb's law, or Coulomb's inverse-square law, is an experimental law of physics that quantifies the amount of force between two stationary, electrically charged particles. The electric force between charged bodies at rest is conventionally called electrostatic force or Coulomb force .

Coulomb's law formula => F = (k * Qb1 * Qb2)/r²

Given data :-

charge on ball 1 Qb1 = 6C

charge on ball 2 Qb2 = 14C

Force exerted F = 8000 N

k =  8.988 x 10^9 Nm²C−²(coulomb's constant).

substituting given values in the coulomb's formula

8000 = (( 8.988 x 10^9)*6*14)/r²

shifting r and 8000 to other sides

r² = (756 * 10^9)/8000

r = 9714 m.

Therefore the distance between two balls is r = 9714 m.