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Better WOrld
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Homework Statement
Consider two balls of equal radii and masses but opposite charges, distributed uniformly over their volumes. Initially, the balls are at rest and far away from one another. Due to the Coulomb attraction, the balls start moving towards each other. The balls can be treated as charged clouds, that is to say, they can interpenetrate without friction. During the interaction, the maximum speed achieved by the balls is ##v_{max}=10~\text{m}/\text{s}##. What is the magnitude of their maximum acceleration in meters per second squared? The radius of the balls is ##R=1~\text{m}##.
Homework Equations
$$\int E.da=q/\epsilon$$
The Attempt at a Solution
A friend gave me this question and told me that it could be solved using Gauss' Law. However, I don't understand the question properly. What is the significance of 'balls are at rest and far away from one another'? Also, what does 'balls can be treated as charged clouds, that is to say, they can interpenetrate without friction' mean? Lastly assuming that the balls act only under the influence of Electrostatic force of attraction ##F=k\dfrac{q_1q_2}{r^2}## shouldn't acceleration be maximum when the balls are about to collide?
I would be really grateful if somebody would kindly show me how to solve this problem. Many thanks!