Electricity: Static Electricity

Static Electricity: Audio Guided Solution

Extra Problem 8:

The moon and the Earth attract due to their gravitational force. Suppose that the force of attraction was the result of each having a charge of the same magnitude, yet opposite in sign. What quantity of charge (in Coulombs) would they have to have in order to produce the required force?  (NOTE: Mmoon = 7.36 x 1022 kg; MEarth = 5.98x1024 kg)

 



 

Audio Guided Solution

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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 develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketches a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you 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.

 

Read About It!

The following pages from The Physics Classroom Tutorial may serve to be useful in assisting you in the understanding of the concepts and mathematics associated with these problems.


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