Question

if the distance between a neutral atom and a point charge is doubled, by what factor does the force on the atom by the point charge change? (new force / old force) =

Answer 1

If the distance between a neutral atom and a point charge is doubled, the force on the atom by the point charge will decrease by a factor of 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

Coulomb's law states that the force between two point charges is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. So if the distance between a neutral atom and a point charge is doubled, the force on the atom by the point charge will decrease by a factor of 4.

Let's say the initial force is F. When the distance is doubled, the new force (new_force) can be calculated using the equation:

new_force = F / (distance_ratio)^2

Since the distance_ratio is 2 (distance doubled), plugging the values into the equation gives:

new_force = F / (2^2) = F / 4

Therefore, the new_force is 1/4 (or 0.25) times the old force, which means the force on the atom by the point charge decreases by a factor of 4.