Electrostatics, coulomb force between 2 charges

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the electric force between two charges located at opposite poles of the Earth, specifically using a mass of 12g of carbon containing approximately 3.61328994x10^24 electrons and protons. The correct formula for the electric force, F, is derived from Coulomb's Law, resulting in a force of approximately 73439043N when using the Earth's radius. The user initially miscalculated the force by incorrectly applying the distance as the Earth's diameter instead of its radius. The importance of precision in scientific notation and significant figures is emphasized for accurate results.

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  • Coulomb's Law for electric force calculations
  • Understanding of atomic structure, specifically protons, electrons, and neutrons
  • Knowledge of scientific notation and significant figures
  • Basic principles of electrostatics
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in a mass of 12g of carbon there are NA= 6.02215x1023 atoms, each atom has 6 electrons, 6 protons and 6 neutrons. each electron has a charge of -1.6x10-19C and each proton has a charge of 1.6x10-19C, each neutron has no charge. if all the electrons were at the north pole and all the protons at the south pole, what would be the electric force between them.
(the (correct??) answer is F=73439043N) but i get:

in 12g there are 6*NA = 3.61328994x10^24 electrons and 3.61328994x10^24 protons

the total electron charge of the 12g is 3.61328994x10^24 * -1.6x10^-19 = (-q)= -578126.39C
the total proton charge of the 12g is 3.61328994x10^24 * 1.6x10^-19 = (q)= 578126.39C

the distance between them is the diameter of earth, ie 2*radius of Earth =2*6400000m=12800000m

F=K(q)(-q)/R^2 = K(q/R)^2
=9x10^24*(578126.39/12800000)^2 = 18359808.99N

F=18359808.99N

which is not the answer in my book, but if i use Earth's radius instead of diameter, i get
F=K(q)(-q)/R^2 = K(q/R)^2
=9x10^24*(578126.39/6400000)^2 = 73439235.97 N
which is close enough to the answer, surely the distance between them MUST be the diameter if they are on opposite poles? where have i gone wrong?
 
Last edited:
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You are right, you should use the diameter. Sometimes even books make mistakes.

You should really use scientific notation. The way you write is is nearly illegible.
Also, if you use 6 decimal places everywhere and then use K=9x10^9 (one decimal place) makes your final answer reliable to only decimal place.
 
thanks
 

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