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Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
Exam
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Electric Field and Potential

Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · Electric Field and Potential

Two identically charged particles are attached to the opposite ends...

Two identically charged particles are attached to the opposite ends of a spring having a natural length of 10 cm10 \text{ cm} and a spring constant of 100 N m−1100 \text{ N m}^{-1}. The system rests on a smooth horizontal table. Determine the extension in the spring's length if the charge on each particle is 2.0×10−8 C2.0 \times 10^{-8} \text{ C}. Assume the extension is small compared to the natural length.

Options

  1. A7.2×10−6 m7.2 \times 10^{-6} \text{ m}
  2. B1.8×10−6 m1.8 \times 10^{-6} \text{ m}
  3. C3.6×10−5 m3.6 \times 10^{-5} \text{ m}
  4. D3.6×10−6 m3.6 \times 10^{-6} \text{ m}

Correct answer

D. 3.6×10−6 m3.6 \times 10^{-6} \text{ m}

Step-by-step solution

Let the natural length of the spring be LL and the extension be xx.

The electrostatic repulsive force between the two charges is given by Coulomb's law:

Fe=14πϵ0q2(L+x)2F_{e} = \dfrac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_{0}} \dfrac{q^{2}}{(L+x)^{2}}

Since the extension xx is small compared to the natural length LL, L+x≈LL+x \approx L. Thus,

Fe≈14πϵ0q2L2F_{e} \approx \dfrac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_{0}} \dfrac{q^{2}}{L^{2}}

The restoring force of the spring is:

Fs=kxF_{s} = kx

In equilibrium, the electrostatic repulsive force is balanced by the restoring force of the spring:

kx=14πϵ0q2L2kx = \dfrac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_{0}} \dfrac{q^{2}}{L^{2}}

Substituting the given values, q=2.0×10−8 Cq = 2.0 \times 10^{-8} \text{ C}, L=10 cm=0.1 mL = 10 \text{ cm} = 0.1 \text{ m}, k=100 N m−1k = 100 \text{ N m}^{-1}, and 14πϵ0=9×109 N m2 C−2\dfrac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_{0}} = 9 \times 10^{9} \text{ N m}^{2} \text{ C}^{-2}:

100x=9×109×(2.0×10−8)2(0.1)2100 x = \dfrac{9 \times 10^{9} \times (2.0 \times 10^{-8})^{2}}{(0.1)^{2}}

100x=9×109×4.0×10−160.01100 x = \dfrac{9 \times 10^{9} \times 4.0 \times 10^{-16}}{0.01}

100x=36×10−70.01100 x = \dfrac{36 \times 10^{-7}}{0.01}

100x=36×10−5100 x = 36 \times 10^{-5}

x=3.6×10−6 mx = 3.6 \times 10^{-6} \text{ m}
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