Question

Two tiny conducting spheres are identical and carry charges of -22.0 µC and +46.0 µC. They are separated by a distance of 2.47 cm. (a) What is the magnitude of the force that each sphere experiences, and is the force attractive or repulsive?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Given that,

Charge 1, $q_1=-22\ \mu C$

Charge 2, $q_2=+46\ \mu C$

Separation between spheres, d = 2.47 cm

We need to find the magnitude of the force that each sphere experiences. It is given by the formula as follows :

$F=k\dfrac{q_1q_2}{d^2}\\\\F=9\times 10^9\times \dfrac{22\times 10^{-6}\times 46\times 10^{-6}}{(2.47\times 10^{-2})^2} \\\\F=14928.94\ N\\\\F=1.49\times 10^4\ N$

As the two charges have opposite sign, the force between them is attractive.