GENERAL PHYSICS 2
MODULE 1: ELECTROSTATICS
LESSON 2: ELECTRIC FORCE
Prepared by: REYNALDO A. CADIZ
LESSON OBJECTIVES
After going through this module, you are expected to:
Use in calculations the relationship between the electric field
and the electric force on a test charge (STEM_GP12EM-IIIa-9)
In this lesson;
You will learn to calculate the electric force of a test
charge. Electrical force also has a magnitude or strength.
Like most types of forces, there are a variety of factors
that influence the magnitude of the electrical force.
ACTIVITY: THINK-PAIR-SHARE
[Link] happens to the force between two charges if
their separation distance is quartered? Explain
briefly.
[Link] happens to the force between two charges if
their charged is halved? Explain briefly.
[Link] and contrast the electric force from the
gravitational force.
What is an Electrostatic Force?
Electrostatic force is the degree of repulsion or attraction
between charged objects. This force is an action-at-a-distance force
that was first studied and quantified by the French engineer and
physicist Charles Coulomb (1736 1806). It states that the force of
interaction between two-point charges, F, is directly proportional to
the product of the magnitudes of their charges, q1q2, and is
inversely proportional to their separation distance, d. or known as
Coulomb’s Law.
Coulomb’s Law Equation
The quantitative expression for the effect of these three variables on
electric force is known as Coulomb's law. Coulomb's law states that the
electrical force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the
product of the quantity of charge on the objects and inversely
proportional to the square of the separation distance between the two
objects. In equation form, Coulomb's law can be stated as;
𝒌𝑸𝟏 𝑸𝟐
𝑭=
𝒅𝟐
where Q1 represents the quantity of charge on object 1 (in Coulombs), Q2 represents
the quantity of charge on object 2 (in Coulombs), and d represents the distance of
separation between the two objects (in meters). The symbol k is a proportionality
constant known as the Coulomb's law constant. The value of this constant is
dependent upon the medium that the charged objects are immersed in. In the case
of air, the value is approximately 9.0 x 109 N • m2 / C2
Coulomb’s Law Equation
The Coulomb's law equation provides an accurate description of the
force between two objects whenever the objects act as point charges.
Since Coulomb's law applies to point charges, the distance d in the
equation is the distance between the centers of charge for both objects
(not the distance between their nearest surfaces).
The symbols Q1 and Q2 in the Coulomb's law equation represent the
quantities of charge on the two interacting objects. Since an object can be
charged positively or negatively, these quantities are often expressed as
"+" or "-" values. The sign on the charge is simply representative of
whether the object has an excess of electrons (a negatively charged
object) or a shortage of electrons (a positively charged object). It might be
tempting to utilize the "+" and "-" signs in the calculations of force.
Sample Problem
1. Suppose that two point charges, each with a charge of +1.00 Coulomb
are separated by a distance of 1.00 meter. Determine the magnitude of
the electrical force of repulsion between them.
Given: Find:
Q1 = 1.00 C Felectric = ???
Q2 = 1.00 C
d = 1.00 m
Felectric = k • Q1 • Q2 / d2
Felectric = (9.0 x 109 N•m2/C2) • (1.00 C) • (1.00 C) / (1.00 m)2
Felectric = 9.0 x 109 N
Sample Problem
2. Two balloons are charged with an identical quantity and type of charge:
-6.25 nC. They are held apart at a separation distance of 61.7 cm.
Determine the magnitude of the electrical force of repulsion between
them. The use of "+" and "-" signs in the equation
Given: Find: would result in a positive force value if Q1 and
Q1 = -6.25 nC = -6.25 × 10−9 C Felectric = ??? Q2 are like charged and a negative force
Q2 = -6.25 nC = -6.25 × 10−9 C
value if Q1 and Q2 are oppositely charged.
The resulting "+" and "-" signs on F signifies
d = 61.7 cm = 0.617 m
whether the force is attractive (a "-" F value)
Felect = k • Q1 • Q2 / d2 or repulsive (a "+" F value).
Felect = (9.0 x 109 N•m2/C2) • (6.25 x 10-9 C) • (6.25 x 10-9 C) / (0.617 m)2
Felect = 9.23 x 10-7 N
Activity: Analyze and solve the following problems step-by-step
[Link] balloons with charges of +3.37 µC and -8.21 µC attract
each other with a force of 0.0626 Newton. Determine the
separation distance between the two balloons.
[Link] results in a larger attractive force on a single electron: +
3.0 C of charge 1.0 m away, or +6.0 C of charge
2.0 m away? Numerically justify your response.
[Link] spheres; 4.0 cm apart, attract each other with a force of
1.2 x 109 N. Determine the magnitude of the charge on each, if
one has twice the charge (of the opposite sign) as the other.
Prepared by: REYNALDO A. CADIZ