Simple Electroscope : Equal-mass like-charged pendulum bobs hanging from common point

Set the starting values :

       Length (cm) =    
       Mass (kg) =    
       Charge (microCoulombs) =    
       ---------------------------------------------------
  * If you manually change values ...

     

Introduction to the theory :

This is a model of a simple electroscope - the two "bobs" will separate from each other because they have like charges. The separation will depend on the length of the strings, the mass of the bobs, and how much charge is on the bobs. We can use simple forces to generate the equations we would need to model this system :

Now, to solve the exact equation, we would need to use something like MAPLE - there is no easy analytical solution. Here is a Maple worksheet that calculates this model, and let's you change values. (Right click on the link, and use the "save as" choice to copy the worksheet to your computer, then open it in Maple.)

In the animation above, there are two like-charged 500-gram spheres attached to strings to form an electroscope (position given in centimeters and time is in seconds).  You may drag the spheres to whatever position you wish before or during the animation. Now, initially, the system will use the approximate angle to place the masses, based on the choices you make to the right of the animation. For small angles, the approximate initial angle is very good, so the system will essentially be static (that is, it is the correct angle for equilibrium). But, if the angle is big (such as if the length is small, and the charge is big) - the approximate angle will be different enough from the exact angle, that the system will "oscillate" a little. If this happens, you can damp the motion by clicking the "Damp Velocity" button. (It will temporarily stop the charges from moving .. as they get close to their equilibrium points, periodically "damp" them, until they are motionless .. thus, in equilibrium).
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Credits: Physlet problem authored by Mario Belloni. Modified by Scott Schneider at LTU.