Understanding Electrostatic Force: Q&A

In summary, the conversation discussed the electrostatic force between two charged objects and how it is affected by the distance and quantity of charge. It was also mentioned how doubling the charges can affect the magnitude of the force. The concept was applied to atoms and how their charges and distances can impact the force between them.
  • #1
mystry4
14
0
Can someone explain this law to me in simple terms? I know that it is the electrostatic force between 2 charged objects in relation to the quantity and inversly related to the square of distance F=K q1 q2 / d^2 ..but what if you have atoms that are spearated by a certain distance and have extra electrons? What happens to the force if you double the charges?
Thank you.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
[tex]q_1[/tex] and [tex]q_2[/tex] represents the net charge of the atoms. For example, if you have [tex]Fe^2^+[/tex] and [tex]Cl^-[/tex], then [tex]q_1[/tex] and [tex]q_2[/tex] would be 2 and 1, respectively. The second number would be positive because it accepts a negative charge by default, making the answer a positive number.
 
  • #3
so, the formula I typed above is correct and could be used with 2 oxygen atoms, 3 cm apart and each have 2 extra electrons ? Wouldn't I get a -2 charge?
(-2)(-2) / 3cm ??
 
  • #4
well, atoms for the most part are neutral. if you had two oxygen atoms that somehow gained electrons and each had a negative 2 charge that were placed next to each other, they'd fly apart. negative * negative = positive -- repulsive force. negative * posative = negative -- attractive force.

doubling the charges of each one -- look at the equation.

F = (1/4*pi*epsilon-zero)*(q1)(q2)/d^2

say each charge is e (charge of an electron), and you double each one (2e), the magnitude of the force will increase by a factor of 4 (2*2).

dealing with atoms is a bit tricky, but to simplify it enough to say that there is a uniform sphereical charge distribution at the location of each ion would work. two negative ions placed near each other in a closed system would accelerate away from each other on the line that they create.
 

1. What is electrostatic force?

Electrostatic force is a fundamental force of nature that describes the attraction or repulsion between electrically charged particles. It is caused by the interaction of electric fields created by the charged particles.

2. How is electrostatic force different from other types of forces?

Electrostatic force is different from other types of forces because it only applies to charged particles and is based on the strength of their electric fields. Other forces, such as gravity and magnetic force, have different underlying principles and apply to different types of particles.

3. What factors affect the strength of electrostatic force?

The strength of electrostatic force is affected by the magnitude of the charges on the particles, the distance between the charges, and the relative permittivity of the medium between them. It follows the inverse square law, meaning that the force decreases as the distance between the charges increases.

4. How is electrostatic force useful in everyday life?

Electrostatic force is used in many everyday devices, such as TVs, computers, and cell phones. It is also used in industries such as painting, printing, and air purification. Additionally, electrostatic force is used in scientific research and experiments to study the behavior of charged particles.

5. How is electrostatic force related to static electricity?

Static electricity is a buildup of electric charge on the surface of an object. This buildup is caused by the transfer of electrons between objects, resulting in an imbalance of charges. Electrostatic force is responsible for the attraction or repulsion between the charged objects and is what causes objects to stick together or repel each other in static electricity demonstrations.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
780
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
21
Views
586
Replies
22
Views
1K
Replies
19
Views
780
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
14
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
883
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
18
Views
3K
Back
Top