Four identical metallic objects carry the following charges: +7.8 µC, +4.2 µC, -2.2 µC, and -4.4 µC. The objects are brought simultaneously into contact, so that each touches the others. Then they are separated.
add the charges, then divide by 4. That will be the charge on each object.
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When the four identical metallic objects are brought into contact with each other, they will redistribute the charges among themselves. The total charge remains conserved during this process.
Let's analyze the situation step by step:
Step 1: Bringing the objects into contact
When the objects touch each other, the electrons can move between them due to electron transfer. The charges will redistribute until the system reaches equilibrium. Since the objects are identical, we can assume that the new charges on each object will be the same.
Step 2: Charge redistribution
To determine the new charges on the objects, we need to find the total charge and divide it equally among the four objects. The total charge is the sum of the initial charges on the objects, which are +7.8 µC, +4.2 µC, -2.2 µC, and -4.4 µC.
Total charge = +7.8 µC + 4.2 µC - 2.2 µC - 4.4 µC = +5.4 µC
Step 3: Dividing the charge
To distribute the total charge equally among the objects, we divide it by the number of objects, which gives us:
Charge per object = +5.4 µC / 4 = +1.35 µC
Step 4: Separating the objects
After the objects have been brought into contact and the charges redistributed, the objects are separated. Each object will then retain the charge it acquired during the contact.
So, the new charges on the objects after separation will be:
Object 1: +1.35 µC
Object 2: +1.35 µC
Object 3: +1.35 µC
Object 4: +1.35 µC
Therefore, each object will have a charge of +1.35 µC after separation.