Two small, identical metal balls with charges 7.0 µC and 14.0 µC are held in place 1.9 m apart. In an experiment, they are connected for a short time by a conducting wire.

Question

a) What will be the charge on each ball after this experiment?

new charge on 7.0  µC ball = ? µC

new charge on 14.0  µC ball = ? µC

(b) By what factor will the magnitude of the electrostatic force on either ball change after this experiment is performed? 

?

Please explain in detail so I can understand.

Answer 1

a) the charge will equalize between the two resulting in both having a charge of 21/2=10.5 μC.

b) the original force of repulsion is proportional to 14*7 and the new force is proportional to 10.5². The ratio of new to old is .888