Calculating Distance Between Two Charged Objects

  • Thread starter Mr.somebody
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In summary, the distance between two charged objects can be calculated using the Coulomb's Law formula, which takes into account the charges of the objects and the force between them. This distance is typically measured in meters or centimeters, but can vary depending on the experiment. The distance cannot be negative, but can be affected by the medium between the objects, and cannot be greater than the actual distance between them.
  • #1
Mr.somebody
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Homework Statement



What is the distance between two charges of - 5.00 C each if the force of electrostatic repulsion acting on them is 4.00 x 10^3 N?

Homework Equations



F=kq1q2/r^2

The Attempt at a Solution


i got 7.5km... I am not sure if that's right
 
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  • #2
The equation you used is correct, as long as you didn't mess up with the calculation, your answer should be correct.
 
  • #3
Aight thanks
 

1. How do you calculate the distance between two charged objects?

The distance between two charged objects can be calculated using the Coulomb's Law formula, which states that the force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. By rearranging the formula, the distance (r) between two charged objects can be calculated as r = √(k * q1 * q2 / F), where k is the Coulomb's constant, q1 and q2 are the charges of the objects, and F is the force between them.

2. What units are used to measure the distance between two charged objects?

The distance between two charged objects is typically measured in meters (m) or centimeters (cm). However, in some cases, it may also be measured in other units such as millimeters (mm) or kilometers (km) depending on the scale of the objects and the experiment being conducted.

3. Can the distance between two charged objects be negative?

No, the distance between two charged objects cannot be negative. The distance is a physical quantity that represents the separation between the objects and it is always a positive value. However, the force between two charged objects can be positive or negative, depending on the charges of the objects and their relative positions.

4. Is the distance between two charged objects affected by the medium between them?

Yes, the distance between two charged objects can be affected by the medium (such as air, water, or vacuum) between them. This is because different mediums have different dielectric constants, which can alter the Coulomb's Law formula and ultimately affect the calculation of the distance between the objects. For example, two charged objects will have a greater distance between them in water compared to air due to the higher dielectric constant of water.

5. Can the distance between two charged objects be greater than the distance between them?

No, the distance between two charged objects cannot be greater than the actual distance between them. The distance calculated using the Coulomb's Law formula is the actual physical distance between the objects, and it cannot be greater or smaller than the actual distance. However, if the charges of the objects are opposite, the force between them can be attractive, causing the objects to move closer and decreasing the distance between them. Similarly, if the charges are the same, the force between them can be repulsive, causing the objects to move further apart and increasing the distance between them.

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