Two point charges,Q₁ and Q₂,are separated by a distance R.If the magnitudes of both charges are halved and their separation is also halved,what happens to the electrical force that each charge exerts on the other one? A)It increases by a factor of 16. B)It increases by a factor of 8. C)It increases by a factor of 2. D)It increases by a factor of 4. E)It remains the same.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electrical force between two point charges is given by Coulomb's law:$$F = k\frac{q_1q_2}{r^2}$$where k is Coulomb's constant, q1 and q2 are the charges of the two particles, and r is the distance between them.If the magnitudes of both charges are halved and their separation is also halved, then the electrical force between them will remain the same. This is because the decrease in the charges is offset by the decrease in the distance between them.

Two Point Charges,Q1 and Q2,are Separated by a Distance R

Two Point Charges,Q₁ and Q₂,are Separated by a Distance R