Electrostatics Definition and 684 Threads

  1. Y

    Electrostatics of balls on a string

    Homework Statement In Fig. 21-42 (I attached an MSPaint rendition of it), two tiny conducting balls of identical mass m and Identical charge q hang from non-conducting threads of length L. Assume \theta is so small that tan \theta can be replaced by its approximate equal, sin \theta. (a)...
  2. S

    What career opportunities are available in electrostatics?

    I'm currently a high school senior planning on going to college to study Electrical Engineering. I've become quite fascinated by the topic of electrostatics and so I'm wondering what careers/jobs are there in this field?
  3. R

    How Is Energy Calculated for Four Charges at a Square's Corners?

    What is the energy required to bring four identical charges in from infinity such that they occupy the corners of a square with side length r?
  4. P

    What is the relationship between the angle theta and the charge q?

    please help with this problem...i have No clue how do it Two pith balls of mass m are suspended by silk strings of length L. When they are charged they repel each other at an angle of 2 theta, since like charges repel. Using Coulomb's Law and Newton's Law, derive the following...
  5. F

    Work and Electrostatics - a bit of Clarification, please

    Work and Electrostatics - Help! Homework Statement I need to place equal and oppositve charges on a piano and at the top of a 5.0 meter ramp in order to move a 1000 kg box up a 30 degree frictionless ramp. The box has a charge of +Q and the top has a -Q. A) What magnitude charges do I...
  6. J

    Magnetostatics and Electrostatics

    Here is the problem, I have no idea how to do this! (In a single straight wire) If the positive charges (density p+) are at rest, and the negative charges (density p-) move at speed v, show that: p- = -(p+)*(gamma)^2
  7. S

    How Do You Calculate Electron Force and Speed in Bohr's Atom Model?

    Homework Statement A bohr`s model of an atom,taking the radius of the hydrogen atom as r=5.29*10^-11m ,find the strength of the force on the electron,its centripetal acceleraton and itsorbital speed. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  8. Z

    Understanding some fundamentals - electrostatics

    I was reading my text and doing some problems and I realize that I am having a lot of issues understanding some of the basic stuff :( I have a few questions about charge, fields etc. Like given the charge on an object after charge has been transferred by rubbing, how do you tell how many...
  9. zimo

    Electrostatics - two capacitors in parallel

    Homework Statement We begin with two capacitors c(1)=6 microFarad and c(2)=3 microFarad in parallel which are connected to V=24Volts. The charged capacitors are disconnected and is being connected to each other on opposite signs (+ to -). How much Energy is got wasted in the process...
  10. M

    Year 11 High School Student, Electrostatics Help Please

    EDIT: I'm extremelly sorry, i just noticed the sticky above my post saying not to post homework qustions in the forum. Dear Physics Forums, I am a 16 year old high school student currently doing year 11 physics. To do this weekend we were givin an exercise sheet with various questions...
  11. S

    Direction of Motion of an Electron in an Electric Field

    Homework Statement The problem is a Multiple Choice Question, as follows. Q: An electron moves with a constant velocity in an electric field. What could its direction of motion be? 1> Parallel To Field's Direction 2> Anti-Parallel To Field's Direction 3> Perpendicular To Field's Direction 4>...
  12. R

    Electrostatics test on Tuesday - helpless

    Electrostatics test on Tuesday -- helpless Hi all, I have a bit of an awkward problem: it is the end of the year for the 2-year "get your A-levels as an adult"-school I'm currently visiting, and the only test left is in Electrostatics. Unfortunately Physics is a major subject and thus you...
  13. L

    Do Different Sized Capacitor Plates Hold the Same Charge?

    if the capacitor plates are of different sizes and it is connected to battery, will even then the two plates get charges of exactly the same magnitude?
  14. P

    Electrostatics of ping pong ball question

    Homework Statement A ping pong ball of mass 3*10^-4 kg is hanging from a light thread 1 m between 2 vertical parallel plates 10 cm apart. When the potential difference across the plate is 420V, the ball comes to equilibrium 1 cm from one side of the original position. What is the tension of...
  15. G

    Electrostatics and band structures?

    Hi all, Recently got to thinking about electrostatics and electron densities and band structures. If you have an electrostatically charged piece of material, say for example, a metal, does the density of states of that metal change because of the depletion of electrons? Alternately, if...
  16. M

    Calculating Speed of Electron in Electrostatics

    Again I am not ssure what to do. An electron(mass 9.11x10^-31kg) is accelerated in a uniform E field (E=3.0x10^4 N/C) between two parallel charged plates. The separation of the plates is 1.6cm. The electron is accelrated from rest near the negative plate and passes through a tiny hole in the...
  17. P

    Why Does Brushing Your Hair Give It Volume?

    I had this question on the test yesterday, why does brushing or combing your hair give it "volume"? my answer was because combing or brushing involve collision (like rubbing) between the particles of different object, making one object to become negatively charg and the pther positively...
  18. P

    How Does a Charged Particle Behave in a Non-Uniform Electric Field?

    A particle having mass m and charge q moves along a line under the action of an electric field E = alpha – beta *x where alpha and beta are positive constants and x is the distance from a point where the particle was initially at rest. Then, for an observer moving with acceleration q*alpha/m...
  19. K

    Is the center of a charged spherical shell a point of neutral equilibrium?

    Well,I think this is interesting.I invite people to think over it. consider a charged spherical shell.Throughout its interior,E=0. Now,consider the centre.From Laplace's equation and Earnshaw's theorem,this point is not a point of potential minimum.So,a charge at this point cannot be in stable...
  20. B

    How Do You Calculate Electric Potential and Field for a Finite Line Charge?

    Homework Statement A line charge has density λ and extends along the x-axis from -a to +a. Find the electric potential at a point r on the x-axis (r>a). Use your result to find the E-field at r.Homework Equations V = \frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon _0}\int\frac{dq}{r} The Attempt at a Solution I've said...
  21. K

    Fundamental problem in electrostatics

    Can someone say why it is said that in electrostatics,the test charge may be moving very slowly?Specifically,what is wrong if the test charge moves at a speed which is a significant proper fraction of speed of light?
  22. P

    Electrostatics: 3 balls on a string, calculate net forces.

    Homework Statement 3 balls are on a ?string?/line?. Each are equally displaced, 72cm. Ball A has a charge of -50e5c, Ball B a charge of +25e2, Ball C -10e10. 1. What is the net force applied on the middle ball (Ball B)? 2. Assuming a force to the right(ungiven name of Ball D?) (of Ball C)...
  23. P

    Electrostatics and Coulombines: Diagram Included.

    Homework Statement 2 small spheres each having a mass of 0.1g are suspended from the same point on silk threads 20cm long. When given equal charges, they repel, resting 24cm apart. Calculate charge of each. Homework Equations F(w)=mg(a) F=kQ(1)Q(2)/d^2 k=8.987x10^9 N*m^2 / c^2 The...
  24. S

    Finding Electric Field in Spherical Electrostatics: Vector Specification?

    I have a problem in electrostatics in which there is a uniformly charges semi-sphere of radius a with its base in the xy-plane and I want to find the electricfiled at some point h on the z-axis. What I am having trouble with is that how do you specify the vector that goes from an infinitesimal...
  25. N

    Electrostatics, Energy of a uniformly charged sphere

    From Griffiths, Third edition Intro Electrodynamics I've been working on this problem, and I get 2 different answers. I get the same answer for parts b and c, but not for a. I know I'm probably just doing something silly along the way, but I can't find my mistake... Homework Statement...
  26. F

    Couple More Questions on Electrostatics

    Homework Statement 1) From the observation that there's an electrostatic attraction between object A and B, what's the most you can conclude about the electric charge on A and B? 2) A plastic sphere with a positive charge of 4.8E-19 C is held stationary in a gravitational field of strength...
  27. F

    Electrostatics calculation help

    Homework Statement What is the radius of the orbit of an electron traveling at 9.0E6 m/s around a zinc nucleus(which contains 30 protons)? Homework Equations F=(kQq)/r^2 F=QE ac=v^2/r Fnet=ma The Attempt at a Solution 30 protons x 1.6E-19 = 4.8E-18 C electron - 1.6E-19 C F=ma...
  28. T

    Tell me whether I solved this electrostatics problem correctly

    Here's the problem: The passage of a thundercloud overhead caused the vertical electric field strength in the atmosphere, measured at the ground, to rise to 0.1 statvolt/cm [E_0]. (a) How much charge didthe thundercloud contain, in esu per cm^2 of horizontal area? (b) Suppose there was...
  29. M

    Electrostatics coulomb's law problem

    Homework Statement how to use coulomb's law to find the r value of the three points when the total distance is 50 cm Homework Equations f=Kqq/r^2 The Attempt at a Solution i assumed that is it was uniform and sais r1+r2=r3 but now i think that is wrong
  30. D

    Electrostatics problem (ruddy angles)

    Homework Statement Calculate the magnitude of the field strength at point P as shown. The distance between the centers of the 1.5E-6 C and the 9.2E-6 C charges is 5.6 cm.. Homework Equations E = kq/r^2 E = F/Q E = V/d The Attempt at a Solution Used tan and sin of 50 to find all...
  31. F

    Electrostatics: A square with point charges on the corners

    Hello, I am doing electrostatics at the moment and have difficulties to solve the following problem. Any hint that helps me to find the answer will be appreciated! "On every corner of a square are movable point charges with the charge of 'q'. Where does a fifth movable point charge have to...
  32. D

    How Is Electric Potential Energy Calculated in Electron Orbit Problems?

    Homework Statement An electron orbits a nucleus which carries a charge of +9.6E-19 C. If the electron's orbit radius is 2.0E-10 m, what is its electric potential energy? Homework Equations Ep = kQ1Q2/r V = kQ/r V = Ep/Q The Attempt at a Solution I tried using Ep = kQ1Q2/r Ep =...
  33. D

    What Is the Speed of a Proton Between Two Plates with a 60V Difference?

    1. The problem statement, all variables and 'given'/'known' data A proton accelerates from rest from plate X to plate Y. If the potential difference between the 2 plates is 60.0V, what is the speed of the proton when it reaches plate Y? 2. Governing equations V = E/q Ekf - 1/2mv^2The Attempt...
  34. Y

    Electrostatics and aluminium foil problem

    1' after a metal rod rubbing with a cloth, is the metal rod remains neutral in charge whereas the cloth will be positive charge? 2' a small pieces of paper and aluminium foil are attracted by charged metal rods when the rods are brought close to them. however, the former stick to the rod...
  35. M

    UAM & Electrostatics: Does It Apply At Atomic Scale?

    Do UAM equations apply on an atomic scale when dealing with protons and electrons etc?
  36. M

    Calculating Net Forces on Charged Particles in a Line

    Particles of charge Q1 = +62 µC, Q2 = +45 µC, and Q3 = -80 µC are placed in a line (Fig. 16-37). The center one is 0.35 m from each of the others. Calculate the net force on each charge due to the other two. I have found the forces between Q1 - Q2, Q2 - Q3, and Q1 - Q3. Here is my...
  37. M

    Calculating Proton Velocity in an Electric Field | Electrostatics Question

    A uniform electric field has a magnitude of 3.0 103 N/C. In a vacuum, a proton begins with a speed of 2.4 104 m/s and moves in the direction of this field. Find the speed of the proton after it has moved a distance of 1.0 mm. I am confused with the fact that there is a velocity int his...
  38. S

    Why Is Electrostatics Confusing in Physics Homework?

    Hi. I'am having trouble with 2 of my homework problems. Usually I do pretty good in physics but electrostatics unit turned out to be very confusing for me. I think I figured out all the other homework questions but these 2. I drew those out myself but I think they are pretty understandable...
  39. G

    Why there is no electric field inside a conductor in electrostatics?

    I know an argument that i don´t like. It say´s: If there were electric field inside a conductor in electrostaic equilibrium, it would exert force on the charges and move them. But this argument implies that there are infinite charges inside the conductor. This is not very plausible, if...
  40. K

    Electrostatics charged spheres problem

    1)Two small equally charged spheres, each of mass m, are suspended from the same point by silk threads of length l.The distance between the spheres x<<l.Find the rate dq/dt with which the charge leaks off each sphere if their approach velocity varies as v=a/(x)^0.5, a is a constant...
  41. R

    Two questions on electrostatics

    Hi, I'm a bit stuck with some things in electrostatics. My first problem: in my textbook, when they try to derivate the formula for the potential of a point charge: V(b) = - \int E.d\mathbf{l} = -\frac{q}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0} \int_\infty^b \frac{1}{r^3} \mathbf{r}.d \mathbf{l} they...
  42. K

    Griffiths (electrostatics) problem

    A conicalsurface(an empty ice cream cone) carries a uniform surface charge density sigma.The height & radius of the cone are h & R.Find potential difference between apex & centre of the top
  43. G

    Why is the potential of Earth not always equal to zero?

    we take the potentisl of the Earth to be equal to zero for solving some problems though the potential of Earth is not equal to zero . why is that ? or when can we do that ?
  44. C

    Electrostatics Problem (Calculating Electric Field)

    Hi all, I have this problem in my physics homework, which is not trivial. This is not a graded homework fortunately but I would like to see the solution for it and learn. I have attached my attempt at solving this problem. Not sure if this is the right way to solve it, and so I would like...
  45. G

    Electrostatics - charges in stable equilibrium

    We have a charge distribution in which all the charges are in equilibrium due to electrostatic forces . Can we prove that none of these charges will be in stable equilibrium ?
  46. H

    Magnetostatics -> Electrostatics?

    Magnetostatics -> Electrostatics?? I have a questions and I am afraid that I might look very dumb for asking such questions, so forgive me first. I heard many times how Maxwell's equations along with Lorents Force Law tells all the story of EM dynamics. So I wanted to see if I can show...
  47. S

    Understanding Electrostatics: How Does the Charge Sign Affect the Formula?

    the formula v = kq1/r +kq2/r if a charge is -2 micro couloumbs for instance is that put into the equatoin and it becomes minused instead or the sign doesn't effect q in the formula cuase i remmeber in the f = kq1q2 the sign has no effect
  48. A

    Solving an Electrostatics Problem with Two 5g Spheres

    Hey everyone, I'm not sure if this question warrants the "advanced physics" forums, but it would be nice if some of you smart people could give me a hand with this problem. Two 5g spheres are charged to +100nC and hung from 1m long strings. What is the angle produced due to the repusive...
  49. C

    Electrostatics lab report question

    Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone could give me any input on this question over an electrostatics lab I recently did. The part I'm not sure about was a section where we sampled the charges of several different wands by placing them into a Faraday ice pail connected to an electrometer. The...
  50. M

    Electrostatics Problems: Finding Electric Fields and Kinetic Energy

    Answers or Steps, or even formulas are welcome, Any answer to any of them! Okay First qusetion... A proton is placed in an electrical field that counters the effect of gravity at sea level. Find The Electric Field.Second Question... A Proton is accelerated from rest in an electric field of...
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