# Math Help - Physics question: Possible lack of information

1. ## Physics question: Possible lack of information

Two charges, A and B are on opposite sides of a stretched wire measuring 100cm. The charge on A is +1nC and the charge on B is +2nC. On the wire between A and B is a little plus charged plastic ball that can slide without friction. Where does the plastic ball reach a steady position?

I suspect that I need to know the charge on the plastic ball to calculate this. Am I right?

2. ## Re: Physics question: Possible lack of information

No. All you need to know is that the ball is positive, and what like charges do to each other.

3. ## Re: Physics question: Possible lack of information

Is it as simple as saying that the +2 charge is pushing twice as hard so therefore ball C will be pushed 2/3 or 66.67 centimeters...?

4. ## Re: Physics question: Possible lack of information

Close. Think about Coulomb's law. That unknown charge of the ball? We'll leave that as variable q.

Now what condition in the problem needs to be satisfied, and what does it say can change to try to satisfy it?

5. ## Re: Physics question: Possible lack of information

((1nC*2nC)/100m)*k=Total electrical force.

((1nC*q)/rA^2)*k+((2nC*q)/rB^2)*k=total electrical force

I tried this, but I seem to have too many unknown variables.

6. ## Re: Physics question: Possible lack of information

Are you still here?

7. ## Re: Physics question: Possible lack of information

That's an algebra equation, right? Simplify it using the tools you know.

8. ## Re: Physics question: Possible lack of information

Originally Posted by phys251
That's an algebra equation, right? Simplify it using the tools you know.
I can't. There are too many unknown variables.

9. ## Re: Physics question: Possible lack of information

The ball is repelled by both ends, and will come to equilibrium according to your equation ((1nC*q)/rA^2)*k+((2nC*q)/rB^2)*k=total electrical force. Now, at the equilibrium point, the total electric force will be zero; substitute this into your equation, while noting that that the length of the wire is l =rA + rB. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

10. ## Re: Physics question: Possible lack of information

Originally Posted by majamin
The ball is repelled by both ends, and will come to equilibrium according to your equation ((1nC*q)/rA^2)*k+((2nC*q)/rB^2)*k=total electrical force. Now, at the equilibrium point, the total electric force will be zero; substitute this into your equation, while noting that that the length of the wire is l =rA + rB. Good luck, let us know how it goes.
This makes sense. I made the formula work now, however, I don't understand how it makes sense to put 0 for the total electric force. The formula states that ((1nC*q)/rA^2)*k+((2nC*q)/rB^2)*k=((1nC*2nC)/100m)*k (total force)

This does not equal 0?

11. ## Re: Physics question: Possible lack of information

In this case, I think it is more accurate to say that the electric field is zero at some equilibrium point. The total electric field at any one point is the sum of the electric fields from all charges, and this is E = E_A + A_B. However, since the charges repel there will be a point in between where the field will be zero, i.e. E_A + E_B = 0. That is,

((1nC)/rA^2)*k+(- (2nC)/rB^2)*k = 0

Note that the second term is negative (the same has to be true for Force above) because the field lines at the equillibrium are in opposite directions. Now, solve for rA or rB and make use that rA + rB = 1m.