Chapter 17: Problem 25
Two point charges \(+3 \mu \mathrm{C}\) and \(+8 \mu \mathrm{C}\) repel each other with a force of \(40 \mathrm{~N}\). If a charge of \(-5 \mu \mathrm{C}\) is added to each of them, then the force between them will become (a) \(-10 \mathrm{~N}\) (b) \(+10 \mathrm{~N}\) (c) \(+20 \mathrm{~N}\) (d) \(-20 \mathrm{~N}\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand the Initial Situation
Determine New Charges
Calculate the New Force
Analyze the Result
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Electric Charge
When we talk about microcoulombs (\(\mu\mathrm{C}\)), we're utilizing a smaller unit of charge, where \(1 \mu\mathrm{C} = 10^{-6}\mathrm{\,C}\).
- The initial charges here are \(+3 \mu\mathrm{C}\) and \(+8 \mu\mathrm{C}\)—both repelling each other.
- Adding a \(-5 \mu\mathrm{C}\) charge changes the nature of these charges.
- The first charge becomes \(-2 \mu\mathrm{C}\) and the second charge becomes \(+3 \mu\mathrm{C}\)
Force Calculation
In our exercise:
- The original force was given as \(40 \mathrm{\,N}\)
- The change in charge alters the formula—showing how such calculations account for both magnitude and sign of charges.
Electrostatic Force
Once a negative charge was added:
- The new charge pair was \(-2 \mu\mathrm{C}\) and \(+3 \mu\mathrm{C}\)
- This resulted in an attractive force because opposite charges attract each other.
Point Charges
In our context:
- The two charges, initially \(+3 \mu\mathrm{C}\) and \(+8 \mu\mathrm{C}\), are treated as point charges.
- By treating them as such, we can apply Coulomb's Law directly to find forces between them.