A charge of #2 C# is at #(-2 , 4 )# and a charge of #-1 C# is at #(7 , 3 ) #. If both coordinates are in meters, what is the force between the charges?

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Answer 1 · 2016-02-20T17:57:47

#219.5muN# attraction

First we find the distance between the 2 charges by using the normal Euclidean metric distance formula in #RR^2#:

#d((-2,4);(7,3))=sqrt((-2-7)^2+(4-3)^2)#

#=sqrt82 m#.

Now we may apply Coulomb's Law in electrostatics to find the magnitude of the electrostatic force between these 2 charges as follows :

#F=k(Q_1Q_2)/r^2#

#=((9xx10^9)(2xx10^-6)(1xx10^-6))/(sqrt82)^2#

#=219.5muN#.

Since the 2 charges are opposites, they attract each other.