In: Physics
A small metal sphere, A, carrying a charge of +15.0 µC is at the origin. An identical sphere, B, carrying a charge of -18.0 µC is at ~xB = 4.0ˆi cm and a third sphere, C, carrying +25.0 µC is at ~xC = 3.0ˆj cm.
(a) Find the total electrical force exerted on sphere A.
(b) Let us view sphere A as a probe charge which we are using to measure the field due to spheres B and C. Use your result from part b) to find the electric field (note that this is a vector) at the origin.
(c) Sphere A is released so that it is free to move. It has a mass of 5.0 g and no forces other than the electrostatic forces found in a) act on it. What is its acceleration at the instant of release?
(d) A short time later will your answer from c) still be the correct acceleration for sphere A?
(e) Spheres B and C are touched together and then returned to their original locations. Sphere A is also returned to its original location. Now what is the force on sphere A?