In a thundercloud there may be an electric charge of +40 C near the top of the cloud and -40 C near the bottom of the cloud. These charges are separated by about 2.0 km. What is the electric force between these two sets of charges? (k_e = 8.99 * 10⁹ N·m²/C²)

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The electric force between two charges is given by Coulomb's law:$$F = k\frac{q_1q_2}{d^2}$$where:* k is Coulomb's constant (8.99 x 10^9 N·m^2/C^2)* q_1 and q_2 are the charges of the two objects (in Coulombs)* d is the distance between the two objects (in meters)In this problem, we have:* q_1 = +40 C* q_2 = -40 C* d = 2.0 km = 2000 mPlugging these values into Coulomb's law, we get:$$F = (8.99 x 10^9 N·m^2/C^2)\frac{(+40 C)(-40 C)}{(2000 m)^2}$$$$F = 3.6 x 10^6 N$$Therefore, the electric force between the two sets of charges is 3.6 x 10^6 N.

In a Thundercloud There May Be an Electric Charge of +40