Explore The electrostatic force between two charges q_1 and q_2 acts along the l

Question

Explore The electrostatic force between two charges q_1 and q_2 acts along the line joining the two charges. Like charges repel and unlike charges attract. The magnitude of force on either charge is given by Coulomb's law, where ke = 8.99 times 10^9 N middot m^2/C^2. F = k_c q_1 middot q_2/r^2 In the top window, both charges have the same sign. In this case, the electrostatic force is repulsive - the blue force vectors always point away from each other. In the bottom window, the charges have different signs, so the force is attractive. Move the charges in both windows to a variety of locations, watching the force vectors and the numeric readouts. Use Coulomb's law to determine the number of Coulombs present on the two charges in the top window, assuming that both charges are equal. Express your answer as a multiple of the elementary charge: e = 1.60 times 10^-19 C. The animation may have a small round-off error -- remember that all real charges must consist of integer multiples of e. What would the force be if the separation between the two charges in the top window was adjusted to 6.51 times 10^11um? (The animation will not adjust that far - you will have to calculate the answer).

Explanation / Answer

We know that electrostatic force is given by:

F = k*q1*q2/R^2

since q1 and q2 are constant, which means

F is inversely proportional to R^2

F2/F1 = (R1/R2)^2

F2 = F1*(R1/R2)^2

F2 = 4.2*10^-7*[(23.44*10^-12)/(6.51*10^-11)]^2

F2 = 5.445*10^-8 N

Let me know if you have any doubt.

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