Physics

Problem

A tiny glass sphere of mass

2.0\,\text{g}

carries a charge of

+1.5\,\mu\text{C}

. A point charge of

-3.0\,\mu\text{C}

is fixed in space. The sphere is held at rest at a distance of

0.80\,\text{m}

from the fixed charge and then released. Ignore all forces except those between the two charges. Constant:

k = 8.99\times10^{9}\,\text{N}\cdot\text{m}^2/\text{C}^2

. (a) Calculate the change in electric potential energy of the system as the sphere moves from

0.80\,\text{m}

0.30\,\text{m}

from the fixed charge. (b) Determine the speed of the sphere when it is

0.30\,\text{m}

away from the fixed charge. (c) Identify the direction of the sphere’s acceleration at every point in its path and justify your answer in terms of the interaction between the charges.

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