Question
A student observes interactions between two sets of electrically charged objects. In each set, the objects carry either a charge of -1 or +1 Coulomb. Which question can the student ask to identify the set with the stronger interaction?
A. Are the objects both positively charged or both negatively charged? B. What is the mass of each object in the interactions? C. How large are the objects in each set? D. How far apart are the objects in each interaction?
A. Are the objects both positively charged or both negatively charged? B. What is the mass of each object in the interactions? C. How large are the objects in each set? D. How far apart are the objects in each interaction?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To determine which set of electrically charged objects has the stronger interaction, the student should ask:
**A. Are the objects both positively charged or both negatively charged?**
This question directly relates to the fundamental principle of electric charge interactions. According to Coulomb's Law, the force of interaction between two charged objects depends on the magnitudes of their charges and the nature of their interaction (whether the charges are like or opposite).
If both objects in a set are carrying the same type of charge (both +1 or both -1 Coulomb), they will repel each other, while if one is +1 and the other is -1, they will attract each other. Knowing whether the objects are both positively charged or both negatively charged can help determine the nature (repulsion or attraction) of the interaction and, indirectly, its strength. Factors like mass, size, or distance, while interesting, do not directly determine the nature of the interaction between the charges.
**A. Are the objects both positively charged or both negatively charged?**
This question directly relates to the fundamental principle of electric charge interactions. According to Coulomb's Law, the force of interaction between two charged objects depends on the magnitudes of their charges and the nature of their interaction (whether the charges are like or opposite).
If both objects in a set are carrying the same type of charge (both +1 or both -1 Coulomb), they will repel each other, while if one is +1 and the other is -1, they will attract each other. Knowing whether the objects are both positively charged or both negatively charged can help determine the nature (repulsion or attraction) of the interaction and, indirectly, its strength. Factors like mass, size, or distance, while interesting, do not directly determine the nature of the interaction between the charges.