Understanding Coulomb's Law: Force Between Charged Objects Explained

In summary, Coulomb's law describes the relationship between the electrical force, quantity of charge, and separation distance between two charged objects. This force exists when there are two charges and a separation distance between them. It acts on the two charged objects, bringing them together or apart, and is a non-contact force that acts over a distance of separation.
  • #1
runningirl
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Homework Statement



What is Coulomb's law? Describe what needs to exist in order for the Coulomb based force to exist. What does this force act on? Where does it act?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Coulomb’s law states that the electrical force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of the quantity of charge on the objects and inversely proportional to the square of the separation distance between the two objects. For Coulomb’s law based force to exist, we need the charges and the distance that separates the point charges. This force is what brings the two objects together or apart. The interaction between charged objects is a non-contact force that acts over some distance of separation. It acts on the two charged objects.
 
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  • #2
..whats your question?
 
  • #3
you have yourself answered your own question quite well. what else do you need?
 

Related to Understanding Coulomb's Law: Force Between Charged Objects Explained

1. What is Coulomb's Law and why is it important?

Coulomb's Law is a fundamental principle in electrostatics that describes the force between two charged objects. It is important because it helps us understand and predict how charged objects interact with each other, and has many practical applications in fields such as engineering and physics.

2. How is Coulomb's Law mathematically expressed?

Coulomb's Law is mathematically expressed as F = k(q1q2)/r2, where F is the force between two charged objects, k is the Coulomb's constant, q1 and q2 are the charges of the objects, and r is the distance between them.

3. How does distance affect the force between charged objects according to Coulomb's Law?

According to Coulomb's Law, the force between charged objects is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This means that as the distance increases, the force between the objects decreases.

4. Can Coulomb's Law be used for both positive and negative charges?

Yes, Coulomb's Law applies to both positive and negative charges. The direction of the force will depend on the sign of the charges, but the magnitude of the force will be the same.

5. What are some real-world applications of Coulomb's Law?

Coulomb's Law has many practical applications, such as in the design of electronic devices, in the study of particle physics, and in the development of technologies like electrostatic precipitators for air pollution control. It is also used in industries like oil and gas, where it helps to prevent explosions caused by static electricity.

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