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The electric force between a charged foam cup and a positively charged metal sphere is 2.12 newtons. If the charge on the cup is 2.0 × 10-6 coulombs and the charge on the metal sphere is 2.5 × 10-6 coulombs, what is the distance between the two? (k = 9.0 × 109 newton·meter2/coulombs2)

A.
9.0 × 10-1 meters
B.
6.4 × 10-1 meters
C.
3.8 × 10-1 meters
D.
2.8 × 10-1 meters
E.
1.5 × 10-1 meters

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The distance between the charged foam cup and the charged metal sphere is approximately 0.64 meters, found using Coulomb's law with the given forces and charges. Therefore correct option is B

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asked requires us to use Coulomb's law to determine the distance between a charged foam cup and a charged metal sphere.

According to Coulomb's law, the electric force (F) between two charges (q1 and q2) is given by F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2, where k is Coulomb's constant, and r is the distance between the charges.

In this case, the electric force is given as 2.12 newtons, the charges on the cup and the sphere are 2.0 × 10^-6 coulombs and 2.5 × 10^-6 coulombs respectively, and the Coulomb's constant (k) is 9.0 × 10^9 newton·meter^2/coulombs^2.

Using this information, we can rearrange Coulomb's law to solve for the distance r: r = √(k * (q1 * q2) / F).

Plugging in the values, we get r = √((9.0 × 10^9 N·m^2/C^2) * (2.0 × 10^-6 C) * (2.5 × 10^-6 C) / 2.12 N).

After calculating, we find that the distance r is approximately 0.64 meters, which corresponds to option B: 6.4 × 10^-1 meters.

User DozenCrows
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