Coulomb’s law for the force between two charges q1andq2at distance rapart isF=kq1q2r2. Find the relative error inq2in the worst case if the relative error inq1is 3%; in localid="1659328977302" r,5%;andinF,2%.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The answer is q2re=15%..

Step by step solution

01

Explanation of Solution

Provided:

The Coulomb’s law is F=kq1q2r2where q1and q2are charged.

q=3%,r=5%,F=2%

02

Approximation by differentials

This method is based on the derivatives of functions whose values must be calculated at certain locations, as the name implies.

Consider a function y=f(x), find the value of a function y=f(x)when.

As an example, the derivative of a functiony=f(x)with respect to xwill be employed.

ddx=(f(x)) is Change in y with respect to change in x asdx0 .

If the value of x=x'from a value of x near it, such that the difference in the two values, dx, is vanishingly small, one can derive the change in the value of the function y=f(x)corresponding to the change dx in x. In practice, however, the concept of vanishingly small is not possible.

03

Calculation

Consider the relative errors for two of the three variables, differentials may be used to calculate the relative error in ggge.

It will, however, need to first extract the relationship's differentials:

Since,

F=kq1q2r2

Take log on both sides,

InF=Ink+Inq1+Inq2-2Inr

Here,

dFF=dq1q1+dq2q2-2drrdq2q2=dFF-dq1q1+2drr

In the worst case,dq1q1<0.

dq2q2=dFF+dq1q1+2drr

Put the values and solve it,

q2re=0.03+0.02+2×0.05=0.15

Hence,

q2re=15%

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free