Conservation of Charge: Difference between revisions
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==The Main Idea== | ==The Main Idea== | ||
The idea that the net charge of a closed system is constant implies that: if a charge appears in a previously neutral system, an equal and opposite charge appears in another part of the system. Individual charges, however, can be created or destroyed. | The idea that the net charge of a closed system is constant implies that: if a charge appears in a previously neutral system, an equal and opposite charge appears in another part of the system. Individual charges, however, can be created or destroyed. The sum of all electrical charge in the universe, then, is assumed to be some constant quantity (presumably zero, although this is not certain). | ||
Revision as of 16:49, 5 December 2015
oduan3
Conservation of charge is the principle that the sum of the electrical charge of a closed system is constant.
The Main Idea
The idea that the net charge of a closed system is constant implies that: if a charge appears in a previously neutral system, an equal and opposite charge appears in another part of the system. Individual charges, however, can be created or destroyed. The sum of all electrical charge in the universe, then, is assumed to be some constant quantity (presumably zero, although this is not certain).
A Mathematical Model
Given the intial and final times (Ti and Tf), the charge of a system can be described using the equation Q(Tf) = Q(Ti) + Qin - Qout
A Computational Model
How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here Teach hands-on with GlowScript
Examples
Be sure to show all steps in your solution and include diagrams whenever possible
Simple
A system contains two spheres of the same mass. Sphere 1 has a charge of -1C and Sphere 2 has a charge of + 5C. The two spheres are brought together, touch, and are separated again. What is the net charge on each of the two spheres?
Solution:
Since the two spheres have the same mass, the charge will distribute itself evenly between the two spheres. Add the two charges, then divide by 2.
(-1+5)/2 = 3 C
Middling
A system contains two spheres of the same mass. Sphere 1 has a charge of -1C and Sphere 2 has a charge of + 5C. The two spheres are brought together, touch, and are separated again. What is the net charge on each of the two spheres?
Solution:
Since the two spheres have the same mass, the charge will distribute itself evenly between the two spheres. Add the two charges, then divide by 2.
(-1+5)/2 = 3 C
Difficult
Connectedness
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- Is there an interesting industrial application?
History
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See also
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Further reading
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References
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