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What is Coulomb's law?
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Coulomb's law is a fundamental principle in physics that describes the electrostatic force between two charged objects. According to Coulomb's law, the magnitude of the force \( F \) between two point charges \( q_1 \) and \( q_2 \) is directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance \( r \) between them. The law can be mathematically expressed as:
\[
F = k \frac{|q_1 q_2|}{r^2}
\]
Where:
- \( F \) is the magnitude of the electrostatic force between the charges.
- \( k \) is Coulomb's constant, approximately equal to \( 8.99 \times 10^9 \, \text{N m}^2/\text{C}^2 \).
- \( q_1 \) and \( q_2 \) are the magnitudes of the two charges.
- \( r \) is the distance between the centers of the two charges.
The direction of the force is along the line connecting the two charges. If both charges are of the same sign (either both positive or both negative), the force is repulsive, meaning the charges push each other away. If the charges are of opposite signs, the force is attractive, pulling the charges toward each other.
Coulomb's law illustrates the fundamental nature of electric forces and is foundational for the study of electrostatics and electromagnetism.
\[
F = k \frac{|q_1 q_2|}{r^2}
\]
Where:
- \( F \) is the magnitude of the electrostatic force between the charges.
- \( k \) is Coulomb's constant, approximately equal to \( 8.99 \times 10^9 \, \text{N m}^2/\text{C}^2 \).
- \( q_1 \) and \( q_2 \) are the magnitudes of the two charges.
- \( r \) is the distance between the centers of the two charges.
The direction of the force is along the line connecting the two charges. If both charges are of the same sign (either both positive or both negative), the force is repulsive, meaning the charges push each other away. If the charges are of opposite signs, the force is attractive, pulling the charges toward each other.
Coulomb's law illustrates the fundamental nature of electric forces and is foundational for the study of electrostatics and electromagnetism.