A small conducting ball of mass $m$ is suspended over an infinite horizontal grounded conducting pla

Question

A small conducting ball of mass $m$ is suspended over an infinite horizontal grounded conducting plane by means of an insulating elastic thread of stiffness $k$ and relaxed length $l_0$. Initially, the ball is uncharged and sits in equilibrium. As soon as the ball is given a charge $q$, the electrostatic interaction with the plane causes it to descend by an additional distance $x$, such that its new equilibrium separation from the conducting plane becomes $h$. The acceleration due to gravity is $g$.

Professor PC Thomas Classes · Answer

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