Two charged particles are very far from any other charges. If the distance betwe

Question

Two charged particles are very far from any other charges. If the distance between them is cut to 1/2 of the original distance, what happens to the electric force between them?

Decreases to 1/4th of its original value.

Decreases to 1/2 of its original value

Increases to twice its original value.

Increases to four times its original value.

Decreases to 1/4th of its original value.

Decreases to 1/2 of its original value

Increases to twice its original value.

Increases to four times its original value.

Explanation / Answer

Coulomb's law, force of attraction/repulsion
F = kQQ/r²
Q and Q are the charges in coulombs
r is separation in meters
k = 8.99*10^9 Nm²/C²

F is directly proportional to 1/r^2

F1 = F

F2 = ?

r1 = r

r2 = r/2

F1 / F2 = ((r/2)^2) / r^2

4*F1 = F2

Increases to four times its original value

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