Four identical metallic objects carry the following charges: +1.29, +6.50, -4.67, and -9.46uC. The object are brought simultaneously into contact, so that each touches the others. Then they are separated. (a) What is the final charge on each object? (b) How many electrons (or protons) make up the final charge on each object?
To answer this question, we need to recognize that when objects are brought into contact, charge is transferred between them until they reach equilibrium.
Given that the objects are identical, we can assume that the same amount of charge is transferred between them during contact.
(a) To find the final charge on each object, we can calculate the average charge of the four objects. The sum of the initial charges is +1.29 + 6.50 - 4.67 - 9.46 = -6.34uC. Dividing this sum by 4 gives us the average charge: -6.34 / 4 = -1.585uC.
Thus, the final charge on each object is -1.585uC.
(b) To find the number of electrons (or protons) making up the final charge on each object, we need to know the charge of one electron (or proton).
The elementary charge is commonly given as 1.6 x 10^-19 Coulombs, which represents the charge of a single electron or proton.
To calculate the number of electrons (or protons), we divide the final charge on each object by the elementary charge.
The final charge is -1.585uC, which is equivalent to -1.585 x 10^-6C.
Dividing this by the elementary charge gives us the number of electrons (or protons):
-1.585 x 10^-6 / (1.6 x 10^-19) ≈ -9.90625 x 10^12.
Since this is a negative value, it means that there is a deficit of electrons (excess of protons).
Therefore, the final charge on each object corresponds to a deficit of approximately 9.9 x 10^12 electrons (or an excess of approximately 9.9 x 10^12 protons).