Answer:
The force on each charge = 16 N
Step-by-step explanation:
From coulombs law,
F = 1/4πε₀(q₁q₂)/d²........................ Equation 1
q₁q₂ = F4πε₀d²...................... Equation 2
Where F = force on the two charges, q₁ = charge on the first body, q₂ = charge on the second body, d = distance of separation, 1/4πε₀ = constant of proportionality.
When d = 1 m, F = 1 N,
Constant: 1/4πε₀ = 9×10⁹ Nm²/C²
Substituting these values into equation 2,
q₁q₂ = 1×1²/9×10⁹
q₁q₂ = 1/9×10⁹ C²
When d = 1/4 m, q₁q₂ = 1/9×10⁹ C² and 1/4πε₀ = 9×10⁹ Nm²/C²
Substituting these values into equation 1
F = 9×10⁹×1/9×10⁹ /(1/4)²
F = 1/(1/16)
F = 16 N
Therefore the force on each charge = 16 N