Coulomb's law force calculation with 0.83N answer

[dowz0r]

I just need help with this force equation. I've plugged everything and I know the answer, I just can't get the steps right, and I want to know what I'm doing wrong.

Equation:

F = 8.99 X 10^9 X N X m^2/C^2 (4.8 X 10^-6C)^2 / (.50m)^2

Might be kinda hard for you guys to explain the steps, but I'll try my best to understand.

The answer should be .83N.

 

[Redbelly98]

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Welcome to Physics Forums.

F = 8.99 X 10⁹ X N X m^2/C^2 (4.8 X 10^-6C)^2 / (.50m)^2
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The answer should be .83N.

You have three terms that are being multiplied together. It's best to evaluate each of those terms first, then multiply them as the final step.

The terms are

8.99 X 10⁹ N m²/C²
(4.8 X 10^-6 C)²
(0.50 m)²
​

The first term is just what it says. What values do you get for the 2nd and 3rd terms?

 

[dowz0r]

Well, I just found out you could plug this into a calculator and that it would work fine, and it does. I appreciate you taking the time to help me, though :).