Question

Metal sphere A, with a radius RA = 2.00 mm, is fixed at the origin. A smaller metal sphere B (mB = 10.0 grams, RB = 1.00 mm) is tethered to sphere A by a thin, taut conducting string that is 1.00 m long, connecting the surface of A to the surface of B. A total charge of 9.00 C is placed on the connected spheres.

(a) Assuming no charge remains on the thin string, determine how the 9.00 C charge is distributed on the spheres, i.e., how much of this charge lies on sphere A and how much lies on sphere B?

(b) Find the resulting electrical force between these spheres.

(c) The string between them is then cut, so sphere B begins accelerating away from sphere A which is still fixed at the origin. Determine the speed of sphere B when it is very far from sphere A. Assume that only the electrical force between the spheres is acting on sphere B as it accelerates away from sphere A. (Show all of the steps to receive full credit.)

Answer 1