What is the separation between the pennies?

What is the separation between the pennies?

How can we calculate the separation between the pennies based on the given data?

Answer:

The separation between the pennies is 0.354m based on the data given.

When dealing with the electrostatic force of attraction between two pennies, it's important to understand how to calculate the separation between them. In this scenario, a copper penny with a mass of 3.0 g undergoes a transfer of 4.0 × 10^12 electrons to another penny. The electrostatic force of attraction between the pennies is equal to the weight of a penny, leading us to determine the separation between them.

By utilizing the formula for electrostatic force of attraction and considering the total charge on the pennies, we can solve for the separation distance. The calculation leads to a separation distance of 0.354m, indicating how far apart the two pennies are from each other.

Understanding the concept of electrostatic force and how it relates to the weight and separation between objects is crucial in solving such physics problems. By grasping these fundamental principles, we can accurately determine the distance between the pennies based on the given data.