COULUMBS LAW

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 Felect = ???
Q2 = 1.00 C
d = 1.00 m

Solution:
Felect = k Q1 Q2 / d2
Felect = (9.0 x 109 Nm2/C2) (1.00 C) (1.00 C) / (1.00 m)2
Felect = 9.0 x 109 N

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.

Given: Find:
Q1 = -6.25 nC = -6.25 x 10-9 C Felect = ???
Q2 = -6.25 nC = -6.25 x 10-9 C
d = 61.7 cm = 0.617 m

Solution:
Felect = k Q1 Q2 / d2
Felect = (9.0 x 10 Nm /C ) (6.25 x 10-9 C) (6.25 x 10-9 C) / (0.617 m)2
9 2 2

Felect = 9.23 x 10-7 N

PROBLEM 3

Two balloons with charges of +3.37 C and -8.21 C attract each other with a force of 0.0626
Newton. Determine the separation distance between the two balloons.

Given: Find:
Q1 = +3.37 C = +3.37 x 10-6 C d = ???
Q2 = -8.21 C = -8.21 x 10-6 C
Felect = -0.0626 N (use a - force value since it is
attractive)

Solution:

Felect = k Q1 Q2 / d2
d2 Felect = k Q1 Q2
d2 = k Q1 Q2 / Felect
d = SQRT(k Q1 Q2) / Felect
d = SQRT [(9.0 x 109 Nm2/C2) (-8.21 x 10-6 C) (+3.37 x 10-6 C) / (-0.0626 N)]
d = Sqrt [ +3.98 m2 ]
d = +1.99 m

PROBLEM 4

The force between two identical charges separated by 1 cm is equal to 90 N. What is the
magnitude of the two charges?

Given:

F = 90 N
q1 = charge of first body
q2 = charge of second body
r = 1 cm

Solution:

F = k Q1 Q2 / r2
q 1 = q2 = q

q = 1.0010-6 Coulombs
PROBLEM 5

Joann has rubbed a balloon with wool to give it a charge of -1.0 x 10-6 C. She then acquires a
plastic golf tube with a charge of +4.0 x 10-6 C localized at a given position. She holds the
location of charge on the plastic golf tube a distance of 50.0 cm above the balloon. Determine
the electrical force of attraction between the golf tube and the balloon.

Given:

Q1 = -1.0 x 10-6 C
Q2 = +4.0 x 10-6 C
d = 50.0 cm = 0.50 m.
Find:

F=?

Solution:

Felect = k Q1 Q2 / d2
Felect = (9.0 x 10 Nm /C ) (-1.0 x 10-6 C) (+4.0 x 10-6 C) / (0.50 m)2
9 2 2

Felect = 0.144 N