A student has an object with a charge of -3 Coulombs. Which of the following objects would have the strongest

(1 point)
• An object with a -4 charge at a distance of 2 cm
• An object with a -3 charge at a distance of 5 cm
• An object with a +3 charge at a distance of 5 cm
• An object with a +3 charge at a distance of 2 cm

3 answers

To determine which of the alternatives has the strongest electric force acting on a -3 Coulomb charge, we can use Coulomb's Law, which states that the force \( F \) between two point charges is given by the formula:

\[ F = k \frac{|q_1 q_2|}{r^2} \]

where:

  • \( F \) is the magnitude of the force,
  • \( k \) is Coulomb's constant (\( 8.99 \times 10^9 , \text{N m}^2/\text{C}^2 \)),
  • \( q_1 \) and \( q_2 \) are the magnitudes of the charges,
  • \( r \) is the distance between the charges.

Let’s calculate the force for each option based on the formula.

  1. An object with a -4 charge at a distance of 2 cm (0.02 m): \[ F = k \frac{|-3 \cdot -4|}{(0.02)^2} = k \frac{12}{0.0004} = k \cdot 30000 \]

  2. An object with a -3 charge at a distance of 5 cm (0.05 m): \[ F = k \frac{|-3 \cdot -3|}{(0.05)^2} = k \frac{9}{0.0025} = k \cdot 3600 \]

  3. An object with a +3 charge at a distance of 5 cm (0.05 m): \[ F = k \frac{|-3 \cdot 3|}{(0.05)^2} = k \frac{9}{0.0025} = k \cdot 3600 \]

  4. An object with a +3 charge at a distance of 2 cm (0.02 m): \[ F = k \frac{|-3 \cdot 3|}{(0.02)^2} = k \frac{9}{0.0004} = k \cdot 22500 \]

Now let's compare the results:

  • Option 1: \( k \cdot 30000 \)
  • Option 2: \( k \cdot 3600 \)
  • Option 3: \( k \cdot 3600 \)
  • Option 4: \( k \cdot 22500 \)

From these calculations, we can see that Option 1, with the -4 charge at a distance of 2 cm, results in the strongest force.

Final Answer: An object with a -4 charge at a distance of 2 cm.

A teacher holds two negatively charged balloons apart as shown in the picture.
What will happen if the teacher bring together these charged objects?
(1 point)
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 attract each other.
The electrostatic force will increase in strength and the balloons will repel each other.

When two negatively charged objects, like balloons, are brought close together, they will experience a force due to their charges. According to Coulomb's Law, like charges repel each other. Therefore, if the teacher brings the two negatively charged balloons closer together, the following will happen:

  1. The electrostatic force will increase in strength: As the distance between the two balloons decreases, the force of repulsion between them increases.

  2. The balloons will repel each other: Since both balloons have the same negative charge, they will repel each other.

Considering this information, the correct answer is:

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