Question

Two identical conducting small spheres are placed with their centers 0.3 m apart. One is given a charge of 12 nC, and the other is given a charge of 18. nC. (a) Find the electric force exerted on one sphere by the other. (b) The spheres are connected by a conducting wire. Find the electric force between the two after equilibrium has occurred.

Answer 1

Answer:

(a)2.16×10−5N

(b) 9×10−7N(repulsive)

Explanation:

(a) F=9×109×12×10−9×18×10−9(0.30)2

=2.16×10−5N(attractive)

(b) When they are connected by a conducting wire, finally charge on each will be half of total charge wire, finally charge on each will be half of total charge on both. Let q be the final charge on each then q=(12−18)/2=−3nC.

F'=9×109×(3×10−9)2(0.30)2=9×10−7N(repulsive).