Question

Two point charges are brought closer together, increasing the force between them by a factor of 17. By what factor was their separation decreased? In other words, if r1 is the original separation and r2 is the final separation, what is the ratio r1/r2?

Answer 1

`(r_1)/(r_2)=4.123`

Step-by-step explanation:

Given:

Final force between them=17(initial force between them)

initial separation between them
`r_1`

Final separation between them
`r_2`

Let Q and q be the charges on them then

`F_2=17F_1\\(kQq)/(r_2^2)=17(kQq)/(r_1^2)\\(r_1^2)/(r_2^2)=17\\(r_1)/(r_2)=4.123`