Question

Objects 1 and 2 attract each other with a electrostatic force of 72.0 units. If the charge of Object 2 is tripled, then the new electrostatic force will be ____ units

Answer 1

216

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

216.0 units

Step-by-step explanation:

The electrostatic force between two charged objects is given by:

`F=k(q_1 q_2)/(r^2)`

where

k is the Coulomb's constant

q1 and q2 are the two charges

r is the distance between the charges

In this problem, the charge of object 2 is tripled, so

`q_2 ' = 3 q_2`

Substituting into the original equation,

`F'=k(q_1 (3 q_2))/(r^2)=3 (k(q_1 q_2)/(r^2))=3 F`

So, the electrostatic force will be tripled.

Since the initial electrostatic force is

F = 72.0 units

the new force will be

`F' = 3 F = 3(72.0 )=216.0`