Answer:
1.704 × 10¹⁹ electrons
Explanation:
The gravitational force due to the identical masses with mass, m = 3.17 kg at a distance r = 2.96 m from each other is F = Gm²/r².
Since equal number of electrons have to leave both masses, we have a charge q on each mass acting to oppose each other at distance r.
So, the electrical force of repulsion is thus
F'= kq²/r²
For the net force to be zero, the gravitational force of attraction must balance the electrical force of repulsion.
So, F = F'
So, Gm²/r² = kq²/r²
Gm² = kq²
q² = Gm²/k
taking square root of both sides, we have
q = m√(G/k)
So, substituting the values of the variables into the equation, we have
q = m√(G/k)
= 3.17 kg√(6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ Nm²/kg²/9 × 10⁹ Nm²/C²)
= 3.17 kg√(0.741 × 10⁻²⁰ C²/kg²)
= 3.17 kg × 0.861 C/kg
= 2.73 C
Now, q = ne where n = number of electrons and e = electron charge = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ C
n = q/e
= 2.73 C ÷ 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ C
= 1.704 × 10¹⁹ electrons
