A charge of +Q and a charge of +2Q are separated by a distance r. The electric force of +2Q on +Q has a
magnitude of F and is directed to the right. Which one of the following statements is correct regarding the
electric force of +Q on +2Q?
According to Newton's third law of motion, the electric force between two charges is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. Therefore, the electric force of +Q on +2Q will have the same magnitude as F but will be directed to the left.
To find the correct statement regarding the electric force of +Q on +2Q, we need to apply Coulomb's law, which states that the magnitude of the electric force between two charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
In this case, we have two charges, +Q and +2Q, separated by a distance r. We know that the electric force of +2Q on +Q has a magnitude of F and is directed to the right.
The formula for the electric force between two charges, F, is given by:
F = (k * |q1 * q2|) / r^2
where k is the electrostatic constant (9 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the charges, and r is the distance between the charges.
Let's denote the electric force of +Q on +2Q as F₁.
Now, according to Coulomb's law, the magnitude of the electric force of +Q on +2Q would be the same as the electric force of +2Q on +Q because they have the same magnitude.
Therefore, the correct statement regarding the electric force of +Q on +2Q is that it has the same magnitude F as the electric force of +2Q on +Q, and it is also directed to the right.