LIMITATIONS

COULOMB’S LAW IN VECTOR FORM

COULOMB’S LAW IN SUPERPOSITION FORM
APPLICATIONS
EXAMPLE #1

What will be the electrostatic force between the two-point charges of

charges +2μC and +4μC repel each other with a force of 20N when a
charge of −6μC is added to each of them?
SOLUTION

Given that,
• The first charge, q1 is +2μC.
• The second charge, q2 is +4μC.
• The third charge, q3 is -6μC.
• The electrostatic force in the first case, F is 20 N.
F= k q1q2 / r2
or
𝐾 +2𝜇𝐶×+4𝜇𝐶
20N = r2 ……………………(1)
𝑟2

• Now, when a third charge q3 is introduces to q1 and q2 then, charges

on both q1 and q2 changes as:
q1′ = (2 – 6) μC = -4 μC
q2′ = (4 – 6) μC = -2 μC
• Then, the electrostatic force in this new case is:
Kq′1 q′2
• F’ =
r2
K −4μC×−2μC
• F′ = … … … (2)
r2
Now, in order to obtain F’, lets divide equation (2) by (1) as,

F’ / 20 N = [k (-4 μC × -2 μC) / r2] / [20 N = k (+2μC × +4μC) / r2 ]

F’ = +20 N
• Hence, the electrostatic force when third charge is introduced is +20 N.