Two identical small conducting spheres are separated by

PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Electric Force Field and Potential · Electric Force Field and Potential

Problem

Two identical small conducting spheres are separated by 0.50 m0.50\,\text{m}. Sphere A carries +5.0 μC+5.0\,\mu\text{C} and sphere B carries −3.0 μC-3.0\,\mu\text{C}. The spheres are touched together and then returned to their original positions. What is the magnitude and nature of the electrostatic force between them after they are separated? (Take k=8.99×109 N ⁣⋅ ⁣m2/C2k = 8.99\times10^{9}\,\text{N}\!\cdot\!\text{m}^{2}/\text{C}^{2}.) (a) 3.6×10−2 N3.6\times10^{-2}\,\text{N}, attractive (b) 3.6×10−2 N3.6\times10^{-2}\,\text{N}, repulsive (c) 1.4×10−1 N1.4\times10^{-1}\,\text{N}, repulsive (d) 1.8×10−2 N1.8\times10^{-2}\,\text{N}, repulsive

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