Electromagnetism - Coulomb's Law




Two pith balls of equal mass M and equal charge q are suspended from the same point on long massless threads of length L as shown in the figure above. If k is the Coulomb's law constant, then for small values of θ, the distance d between the charged pith balls at equilibrium is

A. (2kq²L/Mg)1/3
B. (kq²L/Mg)1/3
C. (2kq²L/Mg)1/2 
D. (kq²L/Mg)1/2
E. L/4

(GR9277 #83)
Solution: 

In Equilibrium:  
T cos θ = Mg  
T sin θ = Fcoulomb = kq²/d²
with = tension

For θ ≪, cos (θ → 0) → 1
T = Mg  
sin θ½d/L

Mgd/2L = kq²/d²
Mgd³ = 2kq²L
d = (2kq²L/Mg)1/3

Answer: A

No comments :