Electrostatics, coulomb force between 2 charges

In summary, the conversation was about the number of atoms, electrons, protons, and neutrons in 12g of carbon. It was also discussed that each electron has a charge of -1.6x10^-19C, each proton has a charge of 1.6x10^-19C, and each neutron has no charge. The question was posed about the electric force between all the electrons and protons if they were at the opposite poles of the Earth. After calculating the total charge of the 12g of carbon and using the appropriate distance between the poles, the electric force was found to be 73439235.97N, which is close to the correct answer of 73439043N. It was
  • #1
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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?
 
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  • #2
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.
 
  • #3
thanks
 

1. What is electrostatics?

Electrostatics is the branch of physics that studies the phenomena associated with stationary electric charges. It deals with the forces and fields produced by these charges and their interaction with other charges and objects.

2. What is the coulomb force?

The coulomb force is the force between two stationary charged particles. It is proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. It follows the same mathematical formula as Newton's law of gravitation.

3. What factors affect the strength of the coulomb force?

The strength of the coulomb force is affected by the magnitude of the charges involved, the distance between them, and the medium between them (such as air, water, or vacuum). Additionally, the coulomb force can be influenced by the presence of other charged objects nearby.

4. How can the coulomb force be calculated?

The coulomb force can be calculated using the formula F = k(q1q2)/r^2, where F is the force in newtons, k is the proportionality constant (8.99 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the charges of the two particles in coulombs, and r is the distance between them in meters.

5. Can the coulomb force be attractive or repulsive?

The coulomb force can be either attractive or repulsive, depending on the signs of the charges involved. Like charges (both positive or both negative) will repel each other, while opposite charges (one positive and one negative) will attract each other.

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