Two point charges, Q₁ and Q₂, are separated by a distance R. If the magnitudes of both charges are doubled and their separation is also doubled, what happens to the electrical force that each charge exerts on the other one? A)It increases by a factor of 2. B)It increases by a factor of $\sqrt { 2 }$ . C)It is reduced by a factor of $\sqrt { 2 }$ . D)It increases by a factor of 4. E)It remains the same.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Coulomb's law, the force between two charges is proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Doubling both charges increases the force by a factor of 4, but doubling the distance decreases the force by a factor of 4, resulting in no net change.

Two Point Charges, Q1 and Q2, Are Separated by a Distance

Two Point Charges, Q₁ and Q₂, Are Separated by a Distance