Question

Suppose you have a total charge (q_tot) that you can split in any manner. Once split, the separation distance is fixed. How do you split the charge to achieve the greatest force?

a) Split the charge unevenly to maximize force.
b) Split the charge evenly to maximize force.
c) Split the charge unevenly to minimize force.
d) It doesn't matter how the charge is split.

Answer 1

To achieve the greatest force, you should split the charge unevenly. This is because the force between two charges is inversely proportional to the squared distance between them, according to Coulomb's law.

Step-by-step explanation:

To achieve the greatest force, you should split the charge unevenly. This is because the force between two charges is inversely proportional to the squared distance between them, according to Coulomb's law. So, if you split the charge unevenly and have one charge closer to the other, you will maximize the force.