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Which two options would INCREASE the electric force between two charged particles?

A. Increase the distance between the particles. B. Decrease the charge of one of the particles. C. Decrease the charge of both particles
D. Decrease the distance between the particles
E. Increase the charge of one of the particles.

User SDW
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

To increase the electric force between two particles, you can decrease the distance between them or increase the charge of one or both particles, according to Coulomb's law.

Step-by-step explanation:

The two options that would increase the electric force between two charged particles are:

  • D. Decrease the distance between the particles.
  • E. Increase the charge of one of the particles.

According to Coulomb's law, the electric force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Therefore, reducing the distance between the charges or increasing the charge on one or both particles will increase the force.

For example, if you decrease the distance between the charges by a factor of two, the force increases by a factor of four (since force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance). Similarly, if you increase the product of the charges by a factor of two, the force will also double.

User Ben Harold
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