Charges suspended by strings: a new twist to an old problem
arXiv:physics/0511032
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.
11 pages, 4 figures