I'm stumped:
So bringing it back to the top. Hope that's ok!
2 charges, Q1 and Q2, equal magnitude, but different signs (not assigned) lie on a line, x axis, a known distance apart.
Segment p-q lies centrally on the line, distance apart is known.
An electron is released at p from rest, and passes q at a given time later. The field at the central segment pq is constant.(it's a short segment)
My job is to find the size and sign of Q1 and Q2 on this info.
I believe i can calculate the electrical force on the electron, but where next? Thanks
To find the size and sign of Q1 and Q2, you will need to use Coulomb's Law, which calculates the force between two charged objects. Here's how you can approach the problem:
1. Use Coulomb's Law to calculate the electrical force experienced by the electron:
- Coulomb's Law states that the force (F) between two charged objects is given by the equation F = k * (Q1 * Q2) / r^2, where k is the electrostatic constant (approximately 9 * 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), Q1 and Q2 are the magnitudes of the charges, and r is the distance between them.
- Since you know the force acting on the electron, you can rearrange the equation to solve for Q1 and Q2.
2. Calculate the force on the electron at point p:
- Use Coulomb's Law to calculate the electrical force on the electron when it is at point p. As the field at the central segment pq is constant, this force will be equal to the force on the electron at point q.
- Plug in the known values: the distance between p and q, the magnitude of the electron charge (e = 1.6 * 10^-19 C), and the given time the electron passes from p to q.
- Solve for the magnitude of the force.
3. Find the magnitude of Q1 and Q2:
- Since both Q1 and Q2 have the same magnitude, set Q1 = Q2 = Q.
- Set up an equation using the forces calculated at points p and q, and solve for Q.
- Equate the magnitudes of the forces and solve for Q.
4. Determine the sign of Q1 and Q2:
- The sign of Q1 and Q2 will depend on the direction of the forces acting on the electron.
- If the force on the electron at point p is attractive, Q1 and Q2 will have opposite signs.
- If the force on the electron at point p is repulsive, Q1 and Q2 will have the same sign.
By following these steps, you should be able to determine the size and sign of Q1 and Q2 based on the given information.