Answer: c. The electric force increases
Step-by-step explanation:
If the distance between two charged particles decreases, the electric force between them increases.
According to Coulomb's Law, the electric force between two charged particles is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Mathematically, the equation can be represented as:
F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2
Where:
F represents the electric force between the particles.
k is the electrostatic constant.
q1 and q2 are the charges of the particles.
r is the distance between the particles.
As the distance (r) between the particles decreases, the denominator of the equation (r^2) becomes smaller, causing the overall electric force (F) to increase. Conversely, if the distance between the charged particles increases, the electric force between them decreases. This inverse relationship between the distance and electric force is a fundamental characteristic of the electrostatic interaction between charged objects.