Two identical conducting spheres, fixed in place, attract each other with an electrostatic force of 0.152 N when their center-to-center separation is 60.9 cm. The spheres are then connected by a thin conducting wire. When the wire is removed, the spheres repel each other with an electrostatic force of 0.0395 N. Of the initial charges on the spheres, with a positive net charge, what was (a) the negative charge on one of them and (b) the positive charge on the other

a) lets take the positive charge to be

q1 = 3.13 * 10^-6 C

b) lets take the negative charge to be

q2 = 3.13 * 10^-6 C

Explanation:

Given data:

electrostatic force between Two identical conducting spheres = 0.152 N

Center-to-center separation = 60.9 cm = 60.9 * 10^-2 m

When wire is removed

electrostatic force between the spheres ( repelling force ) = 0.0395 N

Determine the negative and positive charges on the identical spheres

q1, q2 = 6.26 * 10^-12 C  ( positive net charge )

lets take the positive charge to be

q1 = 3.13 * 10^-6 C

lets take the negative charge to be

q2 = 3.13 * 10^-6 C

since q1,q2 = 6.26 * 10^-12 C

attached below is detailed solution

e/c, where e is its total energy