Electric Field and two point particles

[fallen186]

Homework Statement

Two point particles separated by 0.4 m carry a total charge of 185 µC.
(a) If the two particles repel each other with a force of 80 N, what are the charges on each of the two particles?
q1=8.05µC
q2=176 µC
*I know they don't add up to 185 but it took both of the answers as correct*
(b) If the two particles attract each other with a force of 80 N, what are the charges on the two particles?

I don't see why it wouldn't be the same answer except one of them would be negative.
According to F=k*$$\frac{|q_{1}*q_{2}|}{r^{2}}$$The type of charge doesn't matter when calculating force.

 

[LowlyPion]

Homework Statement

Two point particles separated by 0.4 m carry a total charge of 185 µC.
(a) If the two particles repel each other with a force of 80 N, what are the charges on each of the two particles?
q1=8.05µC
q2=176 µC
*I know they don't add up to 185 but it took both of the answers as correct*
(b) If the two particles attract each other with a force of 80 N, what are the charges on the two particles?

I don't see why it wouldn't be the same answer except one of them would be negative.
According to F=k*$$\frac{|q_{1}*q_{2}|}{r^{2}}$$The type of charge doesn't matter when calculating force.

The product of the signs determine direction, as you observed.

 

[thomate1]

So if the two particles are attracting each other with a force of 80 N, the charges must be equal in magnitude but opposite in sign. Therefore, the charges would be -8.05 µC and 176 µC. This ensures that the overall charge of the system is still 185 µC, but the forces are now attractive instead of repulsive.