Question

When two point charges of equal mass and charge arereleased on a frictionless table, each has an initial acceleration(magnitude) a0. If instead you keep one fixed and release the otherone, what will be its initial acceleration: ${\mathbf{a}}_{\mathbf{0}}\mathbf{,}\mathbf{2}{\mathbf{a}}_{\mathbf{0}}\mathbf{,}$or ${\mathbf{a}}_{\mathbf{0}}\mathbf{/}\mathbf{2}$? Explain.

Short answer

The initial acceleration is${\mathrm{a}}_0$.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of the acceleration

The rate at which an object's velocity changes with function of time is called acceleration.

The acceleration when the velocity is zero is called initial acceleration.

Explanation of how the initial acceleration produced

Recognizing Newton's second law explains why it initially speed with ${\mathrm{a}}_0$in the first scenario.

One spot charge accelerates due to a net force exerted on it. The other spot charge is accelerating due to a net force exerted on it. Because the weights and initial maximum acceleration are equal, the net forces are also equal.

In spite of, there is no frictional, the net force is Coulomb's force, which is $\mathrm{F}=\mathrm{k}\frac{\left|{\mathrm{q}}_1{\mathrm{q}}_2\right|}{{\mathrm{r}}^2}\mathrm{I}$repellent because the energies are equal. This initial force applies in opposing directions on both point charges, providing them initial acceleration.

Explanation for finding the initial acceleration

See the instant of discharging either both or merely one of the charged objects, and then emphasize the phrase "initial," because this force varies (reduces with distances, as does acceleration).

The force exerted on the charged object is the same as if the other spot charge is liberated or not, therefore it accelerates (at first) at the same pace.

Hence, the initial acceleration is ${\mathrm{a}}_0$.