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A conducting sphere has a net charge of -q and of mass m is suspended from the ceiling by a light string.A uniform electric field E is applied vertical down on the sphere.
-The tension T in the string is ____ the weight mg.
A)less than
B)equal to
C)greater than
D)dependent on the strength of E in relation to
E)insufficient information to tell

Question

Use the picture for the next problem.
A conducting sphere has a net charge of -q and of mass m is suspended from the ceiling by a light string.A uniform electric field E is applied vertical down on the sphere. 
-The tension T in the string is ____ the weight mg.
A)less than 
B)equal to 
C)greater than 
D)dependent on the strength of E in relation to 
E)insufficient information to tell

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electric field is pulling the negatively charged sphere downwards, which adds an additional force to the weight of the sphere. This means that the tension in the string must be less than the weight of the sphere alone (mg) in order to counteract the net downward force and maintain equilibrium.

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