Electromagnetism Unit

Regents Physics

Guided Notes Electrostatic Force

Attraction and Repulsion

Two charges of the same type ___________ one another

Two charges of opposite type ___________ one another

They experience a _____________ that either pulls them together or pushes them apart.

Coulombs Law
How much force the two charged objects experience depends on three factors: 1. ___________________________ 2. ___________________________ 3. ____________________________

The equation for this relationship is:

Fe =

k is the ______________________ = _________________________

Compare to Universal Gravitation

Recall that the equation for Newtons Law of Universal Gravitation is:

Fg =
Universal Gravitation Law and Coulombs Law both have an __________________ relationship between _______________ and _________________.

Electromagnetism Unit
Inverse Square Graph Gravitational Law concerns: ____________

Regents Physics

F r

Coulombs Law concerns: ______________

Which is the stronger force?

Consider 2 electrons, 1m apart. me = 9.11 x 10-31 kg qe = -1.6 x 10-19 C

Fg =

Gm1 m 2 r2

Fe =

kq1 q 2 r2

Example #1
What is the electrostatic force exerted between two charged spheres at a distance of 2 meters if the first sphere has a charge of -2 coulombs and the second has a charge of +2 coulombs?

Example #2
What is the electrostatic force exerted between two charged spheres at a distance of 5 nanometers if the first sphere has a charge of -5 micro-coulombs and the second has a charge of -2 micro-coulombs?