Slopes of a Force vs. Charge and Force vs. Distance Graph

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the analysis of two graphs: Force vs. Distance and Force vs. Charge, derived from a lab experiment involving charged balls. The results indicate that the Force vs. Distance graph is directly proportional, while the Force vs. Charge graph is inversely proportional. The slopes of these graphs represent the relationship between force, distance, and charge, with the Force vs. Distance slope measured in N/m and the Force vs. Charge slope in N/C. The experiment effectively demonstrates Coulomb's Law, expressed as F = Q1Q2 / (4πε0r²).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Coulomb's Law
  • Familiarity with graph interpretation in physics
  • Knowledge of units of measurement for force, charge, and distance
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Coulomb's Law in electrostatics
  • Learn about graphing techniques for physics experiments
  • Explore the concept of electric field strength and its relation to force
  • Investigate the units of charge, specifically the coulomb (C)
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, educators teaching electrostatics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of force interactions between charged objects.

heatherann
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Homework Statement


We did a lab using two balls (one with a neutral charge and one with a negative charge). The independent variables were distance between the two balls and charge, while the dependent variable was force. We were to hang the neutral ball so that the negatively charged ball could affect the distance. We moved the negatively charged ball closer to the neutrally charged one, and usually a repulsion occurred. We found that the force vs. distance graph was directly proportional and the force vs. charge graph was inversely proportional. What do the slopes of each graph represent?


Homework Equations


Force/Distance = ?
Force/Charge = ?


The Attempt at a Solution


Force's units divided by distance's units = N/m.
Then for the charge graph, I'm not sure what the units of charge even are.
 
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heatherann said:
Force's units divided by distance's units = N/m.
Then for the charge graph, I'm not sure what the units of charge even are.

For the one with Force vs charge. The units are N/C... Recall what the force exerted per coulomb of unit +ve charge placed at a point represents..

But what it seems that you were doing was testing Coulomb's law of

F=\frac{Q_1Q_2}{4\pi \epsilon_0 r^2}
 

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