Two Hanging Spheres: Calculating Electrical Force

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In summary, the electrical force between two hanging spheres is directly proportional to the magnitude of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. The formula for calculating this force is F = k * (q1 * q2)/d^2, where F is the force in Newtons, k is Coulomb's constant, q1 and q2 are the charges in Coulombs, and d is the distance in meters. The mass of the spheres does not directly affect the force, but can indirectly affect it by changing the distance between them. The direction of the electrical force is along the line connecting the two objects, and can be attractive or repulsive depending on the charges of the objects.
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Bryon
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Homework Statement


Two tiny conducting spheres with a mass of 14 gm each are hanging from non-conducting threads of length 60 cm such that they are 6 cm apart. What is the electrical force between the spheres?


Homework Equations



f = m*g*tan(theta)

The Attempt at a Solution



0.6^2 - 0.03^2 = length y = 0.599249531

theta = tan^-1(0.03/0.599249531) = 2.865983 degrees

F = 14*9.81*2.865983 = 393.6142N

Which does not seem right to me. I think I messed up the angles but no entirely sure.
 
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I got it nevermind!
 

FAQ: Two Hanging Spheres: Calculating Electrical Force

How do the charges on the two hanging spheres affect the electrical force between them?

The electrical force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charges on the objects. This means that the larger the charges on the spheres, the greater the electrical force between them will be.

What is the formula for calculating the electrical force between two hanging spheres?

The formula for calculating the electrical force between two charged objects is F = k * (q1 * q2)/d^2, where F is the force in Newtons, k is the Coulomb's constant (9 x 10^9 N*m^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the charges on the objects in Coulombs, and d is the distance between the objects in meters.

How does the distance between the two hanging spheres affect the electrical force between them?

The electrical force between two charged objects is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This means that as the distance between the spheres increases, the electrical force between them decreases.

What is the relationship between the mass of the hanging spheres and the electrical force between them?

The mass of the hanging spheres does not have a direct effect on the electrical force between them. However, the mass of the spheres can affect the distance between them and therefore indirectly affect the electrical force. For example, if the mass of one sphere is increased, it will cause the spheres to hang at a greater distance from each other, resulting in a weaker electrical force.

How can I determine the direction of the electrical force between the two hanging spheres?

The direction of the electrical force between two charged objects is always along the line connecting the two objects. If the two objects have opposite charges, the force will be attractive, pulling the objects towards each other. If the two objects have the same charge, the force will be repulsive, pushing the objects away from each other.

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