High School

Two tiny conducting spheres are identical and carry charges of -20.2 C and +46.5 C. They are separated by a distance of 2.57 cm.

(a) What is the magnitude of the force that each sphere experiences? Is the force attractive or repulsive?

Answer :

Final answer:

The magnitude of the force that each sphere experiences can be calculated using Coulomb's law. The force is attractive because the charges on the two spheres are of opposite signs.

Explanation:

The magnitude of the force that each sphere experiences can be calculated using Coulomb's law. The formula for the magnitude of the force between two charges is given by:

F = k * |q1 * q2| / r^2

Where F is the force, k is the electrostatic constant, q1 and q2 are the charges, and r is the distance between the charges. In this case, given that q1 = -20.2 C, q2 = +46.5 C, and r = 2.57 cm (or 0.0257 m), we can calculate the force:

F = (9 * 10^9 N*m^2/C^2) * |(-20.2 C) * (+46.5 C)| / (0.0257 m)^2

F = 9.29 * 10^11 N

The force is attractive because the charges on the two spheres are of opposite signs.

Learn more about Coulomb's law here:

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