Two tiny conducting spheres are identical and carry charges of -19.8 µC and +54.5 µC. They are separated by a distance of 2.45 cm.

Question

(a) What is the magnitude of the force that each sphere experiences, and is the force attractive or repulsive?
1 N 2 ---Select--- attractive repulsive

(b) The spheres are brought into contact and then separated to a distance of 2.45 cm. Determine the magnitude of the force that each sphere now experiences, and state whether the force is attractive or repulsive.