How does the magnitude of the electrical charge on objects affect the electric force between them?

Question

As the charge increases, the force becomes more attractive
As the charge increases, the force increases in strength
As the charge increases, the force becomes more negative
As the charge increases, the force decreases in strength

Answer 1

The correct statement regarding the effect of the magnitude of electrical charge on the electric force between objects is:

As the charge increases, the force increases in strength.

This is based on Coulomb's Law, which states that the electric force \( F \) between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes of the charges \( Q_1 \) and \( Q_2 \) and inversely proportional to the square of the distance \( r \) between them. The law is mathematically expressed as:

\[ F = k \frac{|Q_1 \cdot Q_2|}{r^2} \]

where \( k \) is Coulomb's constant. Therefore, when the charges increase, the force between them increases in strength, regardless of whether the charges are positive or negative. If the charges are of the same sign, the force is repulsive, and if they are of opposite signs, the force is attractive.