Step-by-step explanation
the force between 2 charges is given by the formula:
![\begin{gathered} F=(Kq_1q_2)/(r^2) \\ where \\ q_i\text{ is the charge on object i} \\ r\text{ is the distance between the charges} \\ K=Coulomb\text{ constant=8.9875*10}^9N*(m^2)/(c^2) \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/physics/high-school/u64fkgbmcnl8in5k9gz3971vuem43w8m22.png)
then,we can check every option and compare the result to the original, hence
Step 1
a)option A
reduce one particle's charge by a factor of 16
so
![q^(\prime)_1=(q_1)/(16)](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/physics/high-school/usk7qm8oy4uh0naivo70ohy7csozqmlln3.png)
now, replace
![\begin{gathered} F=(Kq_1q_2)/(r^2) \\ F_A=(K(q_1)/(16)q_2)/(r^2)=(1)/(16)(Kq_1q_2)/(r^2) \\ F_A=(1)/(16)(original) \\ F_A=(1)/(16)(Kq_1q_2)/(r^2) \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/physics/high-school/zxw6v8zyzp9wna90qp72nzf586ovm3w9d9.png)
therefore, option A works
Step 2