SOLUTION: It has been shown that when like particles with a common charge are hurled at each other, they deflect and travel along paths that are hyperbolic. Suppose the path of two such part

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Question 1187288: It has been shown that when like particles with a common charge are hurled at each other, they deflect and travel along paths that are hyperbolic. Suppose the path of two such particles is modeled by the hyperbola x2-9y2= 36. What is the minimum distance between the particles as they approach each other? Assume x and y are in microns.
(1) Given
(2) Required to find
(3) Graph/Illustration
(4) Equation to be used
(5) Computation
(6) Final answer
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
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It has been shown that when like particles with a common charge are hurled at each other, they deflect and travel along paths that are hyperbolic. Suppose the path of two such particles is modeled by the hyperbola x2-9y2= 36. What is the minimum distance between the particles as they approach each other? Assume x and y are in microns.
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The hyperbola is symmetrical about the x-axis.
The x-intercepts are at y = 0 ---> -6 and +6
Distance = 12 microns