What Determines the Repulsion Between Two Positively Charged Spheres?

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The discussion centers on the calculation of the repulsive force between two positively charged non-conducting spheres with a combined charge of 40C, positioned 50 cm apart. The force experienced by each sphere is 2.5 N. The correct formula to use is Coulomb's Law, expressed as F = k * (q1 * q2) / r², where k is Coulomb's constant (approximately 9 x 10^9 N m²/C²). The error in the initial calculation stemmed from neglecting to square the distance (r) in the denominator.

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Each of two small non-conducting spheres is charged positively, the combined charge being 40C . When the two spheres are 50 cm apart, each sphere is repelled from the other by a force of magnitude 2.5 N. Determine the magnitude of the smaller of the two charges

my attempt:
use eq. F=kq1q2/d
2.5=((9x10^9)(40-q2)(q2))/.5
this gives me the wrong answer
what am i doing wrong?
 
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You forgot r is square.
 

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