Consider three identical metal spheres, A, B, and C. Sphere A carries a charge o

Question

Consider three identical metal spheres, A, B, and C. Sphere A carries a charge of -4q. Sphere B carries a charge of -9q. Sphere C carries no net charge. Spheres A and B are touched together and then separated. Sphere C is then touched to sphere A and separated from it. Last, sphere C is touched to sphere B and separated from it. For the following questions, express your answers in terms of q. (a) How much charge ends up on sphere C? 4.875 Incorrect: Your answer is incorrect. (b) What is the total charge on the three spheres before they are allowed to touch each other? 13 Incorrect: Your answer is incorrect. (c) What is the total charge on the three spheres after they have touched?

Explanation / Answer

(a) charge on sphere a and b after they are separated(after touching)

qa= qb= (-4q-9q)/2 =-6.5q

after touching c and a ,

qa= qc= (-6q+0)/2 = -3.25q

ater touching c and b

qb= qc= (-6.5q-3.25q)/2 = - 4.875q

so the final charges on a , b and c are

qa=-3.25 q qb= -4.875q and qc= -4.875q

so charge on sphere C = -4.875q

(b) total charge on on three spheres before touching=-4q +(-9q)+0 = -13 q

(c)total charge on on three spheres before touching=-3.25q +(-4.875q)+(-4.875q)= -13 q

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects