A simple pendulum has a bob with mass m and charge q. The pendulum string has negligible mass. When a uniform and horizontal electric field E is applied, the tension in the string changes. The final tension in the string, when pendulum attains an equilibrium position is .
- mg - qE
- m2g2 + q2E2
- mg + qE
- m2g2 - q2E2
Answer
(2) m2g2 + q2E2
Solution
Forces on the bob: weight mg (vertically downward), electric force qE (horizontal) and tension T along the string.
In the new equilibrium position the string sets itself along the resultant of mg and qE, and the tension balances this resultant.
mg and qE are perpendicular to each other,
T = (mg)2 + (qE)2
T = m2g2 + q2E2
Answer: (2)