Final answer:
When you double the distance between two charged particles, the electric force between them decreases by a factor of four, as the force follows an inverse square law with respect to the distance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the distance between two charged particles is doubled, the electric force between them changes according to Coulomb's law, which states that the force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating them. Therefore, if the distance between two point charges is doubled, the force between them decreases by a factor of 22, which is 4. This phenomenon occurs because the force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.
For instance, if the initial force between two charges is F, and then the distance between them is doubled, the resulting force would be F/4. This is a common application of Coulomb's law in electrostatics, essential to understanding electric forces and fields. As the equation depicts, adjusting either the charge or distance will significantly impact the force experienced by the charges.