A teacher holds two negatively charged balloons apart as shown in the picture. What will happen if the teacher bring together these charged objects?

Question

The electrostatic force will decrease in strength and the balloons will repel each other
The electrostatic force will decrease in strength and the balloons will attract each other
The electrostatic force will increase in strength and the balloons will repel each other
The electrostatic force will increase in strength and the balloons will attract each other

Answer 1

When two negatively charged objects, such as balloons, are brought closer together, the electrostatic force between them will increase in strength. Because both objects are negatively charged, they will repel each other due to the like charges.

Therefore, the correct statement is:

The electrostatic force will increase in strength and the balloons will repel each other.