Consider three identical metal spheres, A, B, and C. Sphere A carries a charge o
ID: 2219579 • Letter: C
Question
Consider three identical metal spheres, A, B, and C. Sphere A carries a charge of +8q. Sphere B carries a charge of -q. 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. Lastly, sphere C is touched to sphere B and separated from it. (a) What is the ratio of the final charge on sphere C to q? What is the ratio of the final total charge on the three spheres to q (b) before they are allowed to touch each other and (c) after they have touched?Explanation / Answer
The charge of A=+6q
The charge of B= -q
The charge of C=0
Here it says that the two metal spheres are touched together. So when they touched together charge on them is equally distributed over the two and when they are separated the total charge is equally divided between them.
+6q-q=5q A and B touched
5q/2 A and B when separated.
5q/2+0=5q/2 A and C touched
5q/4 A and C separated
5q/4+5q/2= 15q/4 C and B touched
15q/8 C and B separated
a) the ratio is 15/8 = 1.875
b) before they are allowed to be touched the ratios are
+6 for A
-1 for B
0 for C
c) after they have touched:
5/4 for A
15/8 for B
15/8 for C