Electricity: Static Electricity

Static Electricity: Audio Guided Solution

Problem Set SE10, Question 3:

Two negatively-charged balloons with a mass of 1.78 g are suspended by threads from a common point on the ceiling. The two balloons repel to an equilibrium position in which the angle between the two threads is 13.1 degrees. The distance from ceiling to the center of either one of the balloons is 155 cm. Determine the charge on each balloon. Assume the same amount of charge is on each balloon.



 

Audio Guided Solution

Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

An effective problem solver by habit approaches a physics problem in a manner that reflects a collection of disciplined habits. An effective problem-solver...

  • ... reads the problem carefully and develops a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketches a simple diagram of the physical situation to help visualize it.
  • ... identifies the known and unknown quantities; records them in an organized manner. A diagram is a great place to record such information. Equates given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., Q1 = 2.4 μC; Q2 = 3.8 μC; d = 1.8 m; Felect = ???.
  • ... uses physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy to solve for the unknown quantity.
  • ... identifies the appropriate formula(s) to use.
  • ... performs substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.


 

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