Question

Two charged objects are 1 meter apart. Calculate the magnitude of the electric force between them if the two charges are +1.0 μC and+1.0 μC. (1.0 μC equals 1.0×10⁻⁶)

Answer 1

0.00899 N

Step-by-step explanation:

The magnitude of the electrostatic force between two charges is given by the equation:

`F=k(q_1 q_2)/(r^2)`

where:

`k=8.99\cdot 10^9 Nm^(-2)C^(-2)` is the Coulomb's constant

`q_1, q_2` are the charges

r is the distance between the two charges

And the force is:

- Repulsive if the two charges have same sign

- Attractive if the two charges have opposite sign

In this problem we have:

`q_1=1.0\mu C = 1.0\cdot 10^(6)C` (charge of object 1)

`q_2=1.0\mu C = 1.0\cdot 10^(6)C` (charge of object 2)

r = 1 m (separation between the objects)

So, the electric force is

`F=(8.99\cdot 10^9)((1.0\cdot 10^(-6))^2)/(1^2)=0.00899 N`