Two small balls having equal positive charge Q (clulomb) on each are suspended by two insulating stirngs of equal length L (meter) from a hook fixed to a stand. The whole set-up is taken in a satellite into space where there is no gravity (state of weightlessness). ltbRgt (i) what is the angle between the two strings.
(ii) What is the tension in each string?

Answer

`180^(@), 16`

Explanation

Due to electrostatic repulsion the charges will move as farthest as possible and the anglebetween the two strings will be `180^(@)` as shown in Fig. Tension in each string will be equal to the electrostatic repulsion between the two charges. Thus, ` T = F_(E) = (1)/( 4 pi epsi_(0)) (Q xx Q)/( (2L)^(2)) = (Q^(2))/( 16 pi epsi_(0) L^(2))`