Four identical metallic objects carry the following charges: 1.6, 6.2, −4.8, and −9.4 μc. the objects are brought simultaneously into contact, so that each touches the others. then they are separated. (a) what is the final charge on each object? (b) how many electrons (or protons) make up the final charge on each object?

1 answer

To solve this problem, we need to apply the conservation of charge principle.

(a) The total charge before the objects touch each other is the sum of the charges on each object:

Total initial charge = 1.6 μc + 6.2 μc - 4.8 μc - 9.4 μc = -5.4 μc

When the objects are brought into contact and separated, the total charge remains the same. Since the four objects are identical, each object would have a final charge of -5.4/4 = -1.35 μc.

(b) To determine the number of electrons (or protons) making up the final charge, we can use the elementary charge value of 1.6 x 10^-19 C.

Number of electrons (or protons) = Final charge / Elementary charge

Number of electrons (or protons) = (-1.35 μc * 10^-6 C/μc) / (1.6 x 10^-19 C)

Number of electrons (or protons) ≈ -8.44 x 10^12

Therefore, the final charge on each object is -1.35 μc, and it is made up of approximately -8.44 x 10^12 electrons (or protons).