Problem: Two small spheres spaced 20.0 cm apart have equal charge.How many excess electrons must be present on each sphere if the magnitude of the force of repulsion between them is 4.57 x 10-21 N?Number of Electrons = ?

FREE Expert Solution

Force,

$\boxed{\begin{array}{rcl}\mathbf{F}& \mathbf{=}& \frac{\mathbf{k}{\mathbf{q}}_{\mathbf{1}}{\mathbf{q}}_{\mathbf{2}}}{{\mathbf{r}}^{\mathbf{2}}}\end{array}}$

Charge, q,

$\boxed{\mathbf{q}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{n}\mathbf{e}}$

r = 20.0 cm = 0.2 m

q₁ = q₂ = q

F = 4.57 x 10^-21 N

k = 9.0 x 10⁹ N•m² / C²