Two point charges, the first with a charge of +3.19×10^−6 C and the second with a charge of -4.32×10^−6 C , are separated by 28.0 cm.
Find the magnitude of the electrostatic force experienced by the positive charge.
Is the magnitude of the force experienced by the negative charge greater than, less than, or the same as that experienced by the positive charge?
To find the magnitude of the electrostatic force experienced by the positive charge, we can use Coulomb's Law, which states that the force between two charges is directly proportional to the product of their magnitudes and inversely proportional to the square of their separation distance.
The formula for Coulomb's Law is:
F = k * |q1 * q2| / r^2
Where:
F is the electrostatic force
k is the electrostatic constant (k = 8.99 × 10^9 N·m^2/C^2)
q1 and q2 are the magnitudes of the charges
r is the separation distance between the charges
In this case, q1 = +3.19×10^−6 C, q2 = -4.32×10^−6 C, and r = 28.0 cm = 0.28 m.
Plugging the values into the formula:
F = (8.99 × 10^9 N·m^2/C^2) * |(3.19×10^−6 C) * (-4.32×10^−6 C)| / (0.28 m)^2
Calculating this expression will give us the magnitude of the electrostatic force experienced by the positive charge.
To determine whether the magnitude of the force experienced by the negative charge is greater than, less than, or the same as that experienced by the positive charge, we need to consider the direction of the forces. Coulomb's Law tells us that like charges repel each other, so the force experienced by the positive charge will be repulsive, pointing away from the other charge. Similarly, opposite charges attract each other, so the force experienced by the negative charge will be attractive, pointing towards the other charge.
Therefore, the magnitude of the force experienced by the negative charge will be the same as the magnitude of the force experienced by the positive charge, but in the opposite direction.