Question

Two charged objects separated by some distance attract each other. If the charges on both objects are doubled with no change in distance between them, what happens to the magnitude of the force between the objects?

a. The force between them quadruples.
b. The force between them also doubles.
c. The force between them is halved.
d. The force between them is quartered.
e. The force between them remains unchanged.

Answer 1

(a) The force between them quadruples

Step-by-step explanation:

According to coulomb's law, initial force between the two charged objects is given as;

`F_1=(Kq_1q_2)/(r^2)`

where;

k is coulomb's constant

q₁ is the charge on the first object

q₂ is the charge on the second object

r is the distance between the two objects

When the charges on both objects are doubled, then;

q₁ = 2q₁

q₂ = 2q₂

Force between the two charged objects will become

`F_2 = (K2q_12q_2)/(r^2) = (4Kq_1q_2)/(r^2) = 4((Kq_1q_2)/(r^2)) = 4F_1`

Therefore, the force between them quadruples