Two point charges are placed in air on a straight line

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Fields and their consequences · Fields and their consequences

Problem

Two point charges are placed in air on a straight line. The charge values and their separation can be altered as described below. (a) Initially

q_1 = 2\,\mu\text{C}

and

q_2 = -3\,\mu\text{C}

are

0.50\,\text{m}

apart. Calculate the magnitude of the electrostatic force acting on each charge. (b) The charges are now changed to

q_1' = 4\,\mu\text{C}

and

q_2' = -9\,\mu\text{C}

while the separation is increased to

1.0\,\text{m}

. Determine the new magnitude of the force. (c) By what factor has the magnitude of the force changed between the two situations? Verify whether this factor agrees with the result expected from the proportionality of Coulomb’s law.

Related theory

Coulomb's Law
Electric Force
Coulomb's law and superposition of forces
Electric Charges and Fields

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