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Four identical metallic objects carry the following charges: \(+1.6,+6.2,-4.8,\) and \(-9.4 \mu \mathrm{C} .\) The objects 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?

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) Each object has a charge of \(-1.6\) \(\mu\)C. (b) This corresponds to \(1 \times 10^{13}\) excess electrons per object.

Step by step solution

01

Calculate the Total Charge

To find the final charge on each object, first calculate the total charge by adding up the charges of all four objects: \(+1.6 + 6.2 - 4.8 - 9.4 = -6.4\) \(\mu\)C.
02

Determine Charge per Object

Since the total charge is equally distributed among the four identical objects, divide the total charge by 4 to find the charge on each object: \(-6.4 \div 4 = -1.6\) \(\mu\)C per object.
03

Convert Charge to Elementary Charges

An elementary charge (the charge of a single electron or proton) is approximately \(1.6 \times 10^{-19}\) C. To find the number of electrons (or protons) for \(-1.6\) \(\mu\)C, convert \(-1.6\) \(\mu\)C to Coulombs: \(-1.6 \times 10^{-6}\) C and divide by the elementary charge: \(-1.6 \times 10^{-6} \div 1.6 \times 10^{-19} = -1 \times 10^{13}\) electrons.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Charge distribution
When discussing electrostatics, charge distribution is a fundamental concept. Imagine four metallic objects, each holding a different charge. These charges can range from positive to negative, and when objects are brought together, they redistribute their charges. Charge redistribution occurs as the objects achieve equilibrium, meaning they share their charges evenly when in contact.
\[\]In the exercise, the charges are \(+1.6\mu C, +6.2\mu C, -4.8\mu C,\) and \(-9.4\mu C\). When all objects are touched together, the total charge is summed up to \(-6.4\mu C\) and equally divided among the four objects. This results in each object having a charge of \(-1.6\mu C\) after separation.
\[\]Understanding charge distribution helps you comprehend how electricity can be balanced between objects and why objects attain uniform charge when connected.
Elementary charge
The term 'elementary charge' signifies the smallest unit of electric charge that can exist independently, approximately \(1.6 \times 10^{-19}\) Coulombs. This is the charge carried by a single electron (negative) or a proton (positive). In electrostatic equations, the elementary charge is crucial because it allows us to calculate how many electrons or protons contribute to any given charge.
\[\]In the provided problem, after redistributing the charges, each object holds a charge of \(-1.6\mu C\). To determine how many electrons correspond to this charge, first convert it to Coulombs, which gives \(-1.6 \times 10^{-6}\) C. Then, by dividing by the elementary charge, you ascertain the number of electrons. This calculation is a commonplace approach to examining charges at the atomic sublevel.
Metallic objects
Metallic objects have unique properties that affect how they interact in electrostatic scenarios. Metals are excellent conductors of electricity. This is due to their structure, which allows electrons to move freely throughout the material. When metallic objects come into contact, their ability to conduct means charges distribute evenly across all objects involved.
\[\]This feature is key during the touching and separation process as described in the exercise. When the four metallic objects, each with an initially different charge, touch, they allow electrons to move to achieve equal charge. This universal distribution means each object ends up with \(-1.6\mu C\), unequivocally demonstrating the properties unique to metallic conductors.
\[\]Metals’ ability to distribute charges efficiently is vital in electronics and various environments where static charge manipulation is needed.
Charge calculation
Calculating charge is an essential skill in physics, especially in electrostatics. In the given problem, the task is to find the final charge on each metallic object. Begin by summing all initial charges, acknowledging signs (positive or negative) which affect the total charge outcome.
\[\]Once calculated, this total charge is then divided by the number of objects to distribute the charge evenly. This procedure allows for determining the charge per object post-interaction.\[\]Further calculations involve translating this charge to elementary charges, giving insight into the number of electrons present. For the final charge of \(-1.6\mu C\) per object, converting to Coulombs and dividing by the elementary charge value reveals \(-1 \times 10^{13}\) electrons.
\[\]Mastering these processes is crucial for understanding more complex electrical phenomena and effectively grasping introductory electrostatics concepts.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Concept Questions Two identical metal spheres have charges of \(q_{1}\) and \(q_{2}\). They are brought together so they touch, and then they are separated. (a) How is the net charge on the two spheres before they touch related to the net charge after they touch? (b) After they touch and are separated, is the charge on each sphere the same? Why? Problem Four identical metal spheres have charges of \(q_{\mathrm{A}}=-8.0 \mu \mathrm{C}, q_{\mathrm{B}}=-2.0 \mu \mathrm{C}\) \(q_{\mathrm{C}}=+5.0 \mu \mathrm{C}\), and \(q_{D}=+12.0 \mu \mathrm{C}\). (a) Two of the spheres are brought together so they touch and then they are separated. Which spheres are they, if the final charge on each of the two is \(+5.0 \mu \mathrm{C} ?(\mathrm{~b})\) In a similar manner, which three spheres are brought together and then separated, if the final charge on each of the three is \(+3.0 \mu \mathrm{C}\) (c) How many electrons would have to be added to one of the spheres in part (b) to make it electrically neutral?

Two charges are located along the \(x\) axis: \(q_{1}=+6.0 \mu \mathrm{C}\) at \(x_{1}=+4.0 \mathrm{~cm}\), and \(q_{2}=+6.0 \mu \mathrm{C}\) at \(x_{2}=-4.0 \mathrm{~cm}\). Two other charges are located on the \(y\) axis: \(q_{3}=+3.0 \mu \mathrm{C}\) at \(y_{3}=+5.0 \mathrm{~cm}\), and \(q_{4}=-8.0 \mu \mathrm{C}\) at \(y_{4}=+7.0 \mathrm{~cm} .\) Find the net electric field (magnitude and direction) at the origin.

A tiny ball (mass \(=0.012 \mathrm{~kg}\) ) carries a charge of \(-18 \mu \mathrm{C}\). What electric field (magnitude and direction) is needed to cause the ball to float above the ground?

Consider three identical metal spheres, \(A, B,\) and \(C .\) Sphere A carries a charge of \(+5 q .\) Sphere \(B\) carries a charge of \(-q\). Sphere \(\mathrm{C}\) carries no net charge. Spheres \(\mathrm{A}\) and \(\mathrm{B}\) are touched together and then separated. Sphere \(\mathrm{C}\) is then touched to sphere \(A\) and separated from it. Last, sphere \(C\) is touched to sphere \(B\) and separated from it. (a) How much charge ends up on sphere \(\mathrm{C}\) ? What is the total charge on the three spheres (b) before they are allowed to touch each other and (c) after they have touched?

Two objects are identical and small enough that their sizes can be ignored relative to the distance between them, which is \(0.200 \mathrm{~m}\). In a vacuum, each object carries a different charge, and they attract each other with a force of \(1.20 \mathrm{~N}\). The objects are brought into contact, so the net charge is shared equally, and then they are returned to their initial positions. Now it is found that the objects repel one another with a force whose magnitude is equal to that of the initial attractive force. What is the initial charge on each object? Note that there are two answers.

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