Question

The figure shows four identical conducting spheres that are actually well separated from one another. Sphere W (with an initial charge of zero) is touched to sphere A and then they are separated. Next, sphere W is touched to sphere B (with an initial charge of -32e) and then they are separated. Finally, sphere W is touched to sphere C (with an initial charge of 50e), and then they are separated. The final charge on sphere W is 20e. What multiple of e gives the initial charge on sphere A?

Name: The figure shows four identical conducting spheres that are actually well separated from one another. Sphere W (with an initial charge of zero) is touched to sphere A and then they are separated. Next, sphere W is touched to sphere B (with an initial charge of -32e) and then they are separated. Finally, sphere W is touched to sphere C (with an initial charge of 50e), and then they are separated. The final charge on sphere W is 20e. What multiple of e gives the initial charge on sphere A?
Uploaded: 2023-09-17T12:59:01-08:00
Duration: 7 min 16 s
Channel: David Morabito

          The figure shows four identical conducting spheres that are actually well separated from one another. Sphere W (with an initial charge of zero) is touched to sphere A and then they are separated. Next, sphere W is touched to sphere B (with an initial charge of -32e) and then they are separated. Finally, sphere W is touched to sphere C (with an initial charge of 50e), and then they are separated. The final charge on sphere W is 20e. What multiple of e gives the initial charge on sphere A?

The figure shows four identical conducting spheres that are actually well separated from one another. Sphere W (with an initial charge of zero) is touched to sphere A and then they are separated. Next, sphere W is touched to sphere B (with an initial charge of -32e) and then they are separated. Finally, sphere W is touched to sphere C (with an initial charge of 50e), and then they are separated. The final charge on sphere W is 20e. What multiple of e gives the initial charge on sphere A?

Added by Stacy J.

University Physics with Modern Physics

Hugh D. Young 14th Edition

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert David Morabito

09/17/2023

Step 1

Sphere W is initially neutral, so when it touches sphere A, the charge is equally distributed between the two spheres. Let's denote the initial charge on sphere A as \(x\). After touching, both spheres A and W have a charge of \(x/2\). Show more…

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The figure shows four identical conducting spheres that are actually well separated from one another. Sphere W (with an initial charge of zero) is touched to sphere A and then they are separated. Next, sphere W is touched to sphere B (with an initial charge of -32e) and then they are separated. Finally, sphere W is touched to sphere C (with an initial charge of 50e), an then they are separated. The final charge on sphere W is 20e. What multiple of e gives the initial charge on sphere A?