Charges suspended by strings: a new twist to an old problem

Peretz D. Partensky; Michael B. Partensky

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Charges suspended by strings: a new twist to an old problem

Peretz D. Partensky·Michael B. Partensky

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Abstract

A popular problem asks for the equilibrium separation between two identical (mutually repelling) charges suspended by strings fastened to a common point. We slightly modify this problem by considering two opposite (mutually attracting) charges and adding a finite separation between the suspension points. The discussion leading to the solution introduces important physical phenomena including "catastrophic" behavior and hysterisis.

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Peretz D. Partensky, Michael B. Partensky. 2005-11-14. Charges suspended by strings: a new twist to an old problem. https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0511032

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