6.1.14∗. What minimum charge $q$ must be fixed at the lowest point of a spherical cavity of radius $R$ so that a small ball of mass $m$ and charge $Q$ is in stable equilibrium at the highest point of the cavity in a gravitational field?
Solution
If we solve this problem using the equilibrium condition
$$F_k=mg,$$
you will get an incorrect answer, because such an equilibrium would be unstable.
To verify stability, it is necessary to displace the ball by a small angle $\alpha\longrightarrow0$;$(\sin{\alpha}\approx\alpha)$ and consider for which $q$ a restoring force will arise.
It should be noted that for small displacements, the Coulomb force can be considered constant
Let us consider the projections of forces onto the $Ox$ axis, parallel to the tangent to the sphere at the point of contact with the ball (inclined at an angle $\alpha$ to the horizontal):
$$(mg)_x=-mg \cdot \sin{\alpha}$$
$$(N)_x=0$$
$$(F_k)_x=F_k \cdot \sin{\alpha /2}$$
In this case, the Coulomb force must be significantly greater than $mg$, i.e., the ball will not fall down but can roll down the wall, which means the equilibrium will be stable if the sum of the projections of all forces onto $Ox$ is greater than zero