In a thundercloud there may be an electric charge of 60 C near the top of the cloud and −60 C near the bottom of the cloud.

Question

If these charges are separated by about 3 km, what is the magnitude of the elec- tric force between these two sets of charges? The value of the electric force constant is 8.98755 × 109 N · m2/C2.
Answer in units of N.

Answer 1

well I call it k = 9 * 10^9 so I can remember it :)
F = k Q1 Q2 /(d*d)
F = 9 * 10^9 * 60 * -60 / 9*10^6
= -3600 * 10^3 = -3.6 * 10^6 Newtons (Yikes! )
the direction is toward each other, like charges repel, unlike attract

Answer 2

thank you!!