Question

What is the magnitude of the force a 1.5 x 10^6 C charge exerts on a 3.2 x 10^4 C charge located 1.5 m away?

Answer 1

`F=1.92*10^(20)"N"`

Explanation:

We can use Coulomb's law to determine the force exerted by each of the charges on the other. These forces will be equal in magnitude.

Coulomb's law:

`F=k*(abs(q_1)abs(q_2))/r^2`

where `r` is the distance between the charges `q_1` and `q_2`, and `k` is a proportionality constant given by `1/(4piepsilon_0)`. This has an approximate value of `8.99*10^9Nm^2//C^2`.

Given `q_1=1.5*10^6C, q_1=3.2*10^4C,` and `r=1.5m`, we have:

`=>F=(8.99*10^9Nm^2//C^2)((1.5*10^6)(3.2*10^4))/(1.5m)^2`

`=>F=1.92*10^(20)"N"`

This is a huge force as a result of huge charges.