We're studing electrostatics. I need to find the answer to this question. Two charged particles are held close to each other. When released, their velocity increases as they move. Are the particles positively charged or negativly charged? Btw we don't know if they fly together or apart. Thanks for any help.
Question for the physics types
- Thread starter cdan
- Start date
Since they're getting faster, the distance between them (r) is getting smaller, hence they must be oppositely charged.
hmm, but if they are repelled, and they move away from each other,
there is a force on each of them as well, and as they move further away from each other, the force will get smaller but the force is still present
and so the acceleration decreases, BUT the velocity is still increasing
SO they could be moving away from each other.
there is a force on each of them as well, and as they move further away from each other, the force will get smaller but the force is still present
and so the acceleration decreases, BUT the velocity is still increasing
SO they could be moving away from each other.
<< Since they're getting faster, the distance between them (r) is getting smaller, hence they must be oppositely charged. >>
Very careful observation.
dopcombo
If the're acceleration is decreasing, their velocity is as well. The question states "their velocity increases AS they move" Hence Pretender would have to be right
If the're acceleration is decreasing, their velocity is as well. The question states "their velocity increases AS they move" Hence Pretender would have to be right
but dopcombo also has a point...the velocity will still be increasing even tho the rate of acceleration will be decreasing is they are moving apart...
actually, he's right. Acceleration can decrease (as long as it doesn't become negative), and the total velocity still go up. But if they are oppositely charged, their velocity would increase faster than if they were similarly charged. So, unless I'm missing something, they could be any combination of charge and the velocity would increase in any case....there must be something left out in the problem, otherwise the answer cannot be determined.
True..
But hang on, if they are either positive OR negative, they will fly apart regardless, as opposites attract.
But hang on, if they are either positive OR negative, they will fly apart regardless, as opposites attract.
I think you mean opposites attract
If they attract, their velocity increases towards each other.
If they repel, their velocity increases away from each other.
Hence the problem as it stands is unsolveable
If they attract, their velocity increases towards each other.
If they repel, their velocity increases away from each other.
Hence the problem as it stands is unsolveable
What do you mean Pretender, that what I wrote
The question is, are the positive or negatively charged?
Could be any, both are going to move apart, because like charges repell! They can't fly together, unless they are different charges and the question doesn't say that!
The question is, are the positive or negatively charged?
Could be any, both are going to move apart, because like charges repell! They can't fly together, unless they are different charges and the question doesn't say that!
If the velocity is increasing, acceleration must be positive. The velocity will not increase if the particles are getting further apart. Therefore, they must be oppositely charged! They cannot be same-charged.
There's not really enough information.
If they are charged the same they will accelerate away from each other, but eventually accleration will be negative due to friction...
If they are charged opposite theywill accelerate towards each other, but eventually acceleration & velocity will drop to 0 when they hit.
So in either case they will start moving with an increasing velocity, but eventually velocity will stop increasing.
Both positive or both negative is a moot point. Unless there is some other charged object near them, both positive and both negative will behave exactly the same.
Edit: actually if they are alone in an infinite vacuum (impossible in reality, but sometimes physics problems make assumptions for simplicity) then they will continue to exert a repulsive force on each other forever. As long as they are exerting some force there is an acceleration.
That would make them have the same charge.
But I made some huge assumptions about simplifications to the problem. Never assume any simplifications like that unless the problem explicitly states them.
If they are charged the same they will accelerate away from each other, but eventually accleration will be negative due to friction...
If they are charged opposite theywill accelerate towards each other, but eventually acceleration & velocity will drop to 0 when they hit.
So in either case they will start moving with an increasing velocity, but eventually velocity will stop increasing.
Both positive or both negative is a moot point. Unless there is some other charged object near them, both positive and both negative will behave exactly the same.
Edit: actually if they are alone in an infinite vacuum (impossible in reality, but sometimes physics problems make assumptions for simplicity) then they will continue to exert a repulsive force on each other forever. As long as they are exerting some force there is an acceleration.
That would make them have the same charge.
But I made some huge assumptions about simplifications to the problem. Never assume any simplifications like that unless the problem explicitly states them.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 22K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
News NVIDIA and Intel to Develop AI Infrastructure and Personal Computing Products- Started by poke01
- Replies: 403
-
Facebook
Twitter