Two insulating spheres have radii r1 and r2, masses m1 and m2, and uniformly distributed charges -q1 and q2. They are released from rest when their centers are separated by a distance d.
(a) How fast is each moving when they collide? (Suggestion: Consider conservation of energy and conservation of linear momentum. Associate v1 with m1 and v2 with m2. Use any variable or symbol stated above along with the following as necessary: ke.)
v1 =
v2 =
(b) If the spheres were conductors, would their speeds be greater, less than, or equal to those calculated in part (a)?