Question

The magnitude of the electric force between two protons is 2.30 x 10^-26 N. How far apart are they?

a) 0.0220 mb) 0.100 mc) 0.480 md) 0.000570 me) 3.10 m

Answer 1

To solve this problem we will use the concepts given by Coulomb's law defined for force, said law is mathematically described as

`F = (kq_1 q_2)/(r^2)`

Here,

k = Coulomb's constant

`q_(1,2)`= Charge of two protons

r = Distance between them

F = Force

Our values are given as,

`F =2.3*10^(-26) N`

`q_1 =q_2 = 1.6*10^(-19) C`

`k =9*10^9 Nm^2/C2`

Rearrenging to find the distance and replacing we have that

`r^2=((9*10^9 )(1.6*10^(-19))^2 )/(2.3*10^(-26) )`

`r^2=10.01*10^(-3) m^2`

`r =\sqrt{10.01*10^(-3) m^2}`

`r = 0.100m`

Therefore the correct option is B.