how do i figure out if an electric force between 2 stationary points are positive or negative?
To determine whether the electric force between two stationary points is positive or negative, you need to consider the charges involved. The electric force between charges can be either attractive or repulsive, depending on their respective charges.
1. Identify the charges: Determine the charges on the two stationary points. Charges can be positive or negative.
2. Apply the principle of electrostatic forces: Like charges repel each other, and opposite charges attract each other.
- Positive charges (+) repel each other.
- Negative charges (-) repel each other.
- Positive and negative charges attract each other.
3. Analyze the charges: Consider the charges on the two stationary points.
- If both charges are positive (+), the electric force between them will be repulsive.
- If both charges are negative (-), the electric force between them will also be repulsive.
- If one charge is positive and the other is negative, the electric force between them will be attractive.
Therefore, if the charges on the stationary points have the same sign (either both positive or both negative), the electric force between them is repulsive. If the charges have different signs (one positive and one negative), the electric force between them is attractive.
Remember that the magnitude of the electric force is determined by Coulomb's law, which takes into consideration the charges and the distance between them.