Homework Help: Coulomb's Law

weemanbran · Jun 1, 2008

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The magnitude of electrical force between a pair of charged particles is _____ as much when the particles are moved half as far apart.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

I understand that Coulomb's Law is.

F = k q1 q2 / d^2

So is the answer just putting in the distance which is 1/2 and squaring it? So is it just 1/2^2?

dynamicsolo · Jun 1, 2008

Be careful -- the distance between particles appears in the denominator of Coulomb's Law. So if the distance is halved, what happens to this ratio?

weemanbran · Jun 1, 2008

If the distance distance is halved then the ratio would increase... I just don't know by how much...

konthelion · Jun 1, 2008

Will the force increase or decrease? and by what factor? Hint: What is [tex](\frac{1}{2})^2[/tex]?

dynamicsolo · Jun 1, 2008

konthelion said: ↑

Will the force increase or decrease? and by what factor? Hint: What is [tex](\frac{1}{2})^2[/tex]?

I think you mean [tex]\frac{1}{(\frac{1}{2})^2}[/tex] ; the halved distance is in the denominator for Coulomb's Law...

Log in or Sign up

Homework Help: Coulomb's Law

weemanbran

dynamicsolo

weemanbran

konthelion

dynamicsolo