Question

The magnitude of the electrostatic force between two identical ions that are separated by a distance of 5.0 x10^−10 m is 9.20 x 10^−10 N.

(a) What is the charge (in Coulombs) of each ion?

Answer 1

To solve this problem, we apply the concepts related to the electrostatic force proposed by Coulomb's law. This force can be expressed as

`F = (kq_1q_2)/(d^2)`

Here

k = Coulomb's constant

`q_(1,2)`= Charge of each object

d = Distance between objects

We have that the charge are the same, and the distance and the force are

`d = 5*10^(-10) m`

`F = 9.20*10^(-10) N`

Replacing we have,

`9.20*10^(-10) = (9.9*10^9*q^2)/(5*10^(-10))`

Solving for q,

`q = 6.8165*10^(-15)C`

Therefore the charge of each ion is
`6.8165*10^(-15)C`