Coulomb's Law PhET Simulation: Investigation of How Direction of Charge Affects Electrostatic Force

Question

For this part, we will be adjusting the direction of the charges (positive/negative).

Set the distance between the two charges for 6 cm
Pay close attention to the sign on the charges (+/-)
Given the charge values and the distances, determine the electrostatic force between the charged particles and if they are attracted, repelled, or neither.



*If two charges are attracted, their electrostatic force is negative**



**If the two charges are repelled, their electrostatic force is positive**
charge 1 charge 2 Distance Apart
Trial 1 -4 pC +4pC 6 cm
Trial 2 +4 pC -4pC 6 cm
Trial 3 -4 pC -4 pC 6 cm
Trial 4 +4 pC +4 pC 6 cm
Trial 5 +4 pC 0 pC 6 cm


Column A
1.
Trial 1: Force =
2.
Trial 2: Force =
3.
Trial 3: Force =
4.
Trial 4: Force =
5.
Trial 5: Force =
6.
Trial 1: Are the charged ions particles attracted, repelled, or neither?
7.
Trial 2: Are the charged ions particles attracted, repelled, or neither?
8.
Trial 3: Are the charged ions particles attracted, repelled, or neither?
9.
Trial 4: Are the charged ions particles attracted, repelled, or neither?
10.
Trial 5: Are the charged ions particles attracted, repelled,
or neither?

Column B

a.- 269.627 N
b.0 N
c.89.876 N
d.- 39.945 N
e.39.945 N
f.- 89.876 N
g. Repelled
h. Neither
i.179.751 N
j.- 79.889 N
k.- 44.938 N
l.79.889 N
m.44.938 N
n.- 359.502 N
o.- 179.751 N
p. Attracted

Answer 1

Column A
1. Trial 1: Force = - 269.627 N
2. Trial 2: Force = 0 N
3. Trial 3: Force = - 89.876 N
4. Trial 4: Force = 39.945 N
5. Trial 5: Force = - 44.938 N
6. Trial 1: Are the charged ions particles attracted, repelled, or neither? - Attracted
7. Trial 2: Are the charged ions particles attracted, repelled, or neither? - Neither
8. Trial 3: Are the charged ions particles attracted, repelled, or neither? - Attracted
9. Trial 4: Are the charged ions particles attracted, repelled, or neither? - Repelled
10. Trial 5: Are the charged ions particles attracted, repelled, or neither? - Attracted

Column B
a.- 269.627 N
b.0 N
c.89.876 N
d.- 39.945 N
e.39.945 N
f.- 89.876 N
g. Repelled
h. Neither
i.179.751 N
j.- 79.889 N
k.- 44.938 N
l.79.889 N
m.44.938 N
n.- 359.502 N
o.- 179.751 N
p. Attracted