There are two objects, one with a +2 charge and one with a -2 charge. If we increase the distance between the two objects, what happens to the strength of the electric force?
As we increase the distance between the two objects, the strength of the electric force between them decreases. This is because the electric force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the objects, according to Coulomb's law. Therefore, as the distance between the objects increases, the electric force decreases proportionally.
decreases in proportion to the SQUARE of the distance.
twice as far is 1/4 the force
Yes, that is correct. The strength of the electric force decreases in proportion to the square of the distance between the two objects. So, if the distance is doubled, the strength of the electric force becomes 1/4th of its original value.
To determine what happens to the strength of the electric force between two objects with charges as the distance between them is increased, you need to understand the relationship described by Coulomb's Law.
Coulomb's Law states that the electric force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Mathematically, it can be represented as:
F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2
where F is the electric force, k is the electrostatic constant (approximately 9 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the charges of the objects, and r is the distance between them.
In this scenario, one object has a +2 charge and the other has a -2 charge. Since the charges are equal in magnitude, the product (q1 * q2) becomes 4.
Now, as the distance between the two objects increases, the denominator of the equation (r^2) becomes larger. Since r^2 is in the denominator, an increase in the distance results in a decrease in the value of 1/r^2. Consequently, the overall electric force between the objects decreases.
Therefore, as you increase the distance between the two charged objects, the strength of the electric force between them decreases.