COULOMB’

S| LAW
 Symbols
 We will use the following symbols to denote our quantities
• Q or q for electric charges,
• r or R for distances
• F for electric force,
• C for coulomb, *the unit of an electric charge*
• o for electric permittivity, *a constant*
• k for Coulomb constant
 Electric force…where opposites attract
q1 q2

 When we measure the force of attraction or repulsion

between charges, say q1 and q2
• We’ll find that the electric force is
 proportional to each of the charges
 inversely proportional to the distance between them,
and
 directed along the line between them (along r)
 Coulomb’s law

q1 q2 1
F k k
r 2 40
• is the magnitude of the force of attraction or repulsion

 This force was first studied by Coulomb in 1785

• k is some constant of proportionality
 equal to 8.98755109 N m2/C2 and
• o is permittivity constant
 equal to 8.85  10-12 C2/N-m2
 Implications
 The electric force is strong when
• the magnitude of q1 and q2 is also large ,and
• the separation r between the charges is very small

 Because of Newton’s 3rd Law, the magnitude of the

electric force exerted by each charge on the other is the
same.
 Coulomb’s law
 The form of Coulomb’s Law between two charges is
exactly the same as the gravitational force between two
masses
q1 q2 m1m2
F k F G 2
r 2 r
 With an exception:
• Gravitational force is only attractive
 Other similarities:
• Both mass and electric charge are intrinsic properties of
matter, and
• Both obey an inverse square law
 Numerical example
Q1 Q2

r = 0.30 m

 A charge Q1 = −3.0 x 10−6 C is located at the origin while a

charge Q2 = +4.0 x 10−6 C is located at x = +0.30 meters, y
= 0, z = 0.
1.2 N, towards +x axis
• Calculate the force on Q1 due to Q2 .
• Calculate the force on Q2 due to Q11.2. N, towards -x axis
 What if we vary the charges?
Q1 3Q1 Q2 2Q2

 By what factor will the force between the positive and

negative ions change if Q1 is tripled and Q2 is doubled?
Assume that the size of the ions remain the same size and
the distance between their centers remains constant.

Answer: 6 times
 Or vary the distance
Q1 Q2
Q1 Q2
Fk 2
 160N
r
r

 If two charges feel a repulsive force of 160 N, what will be

 r is quadrupled.
the force if the separation

Answer: 10 N
 Multiple charges
 What is the direction of the net force on q due to the other
charges whose magnitude is the same as q but with
different signs.
Q2 Q3

Q1

Fnet
Q4
q
 Charges in a line

-2Q +Q -Q

 Where would you place the +Q in order for the forces to

balance? Does such location exist?
 Solution
-2Q +Q -Q
x

L
 The force on +Q is attractive toward both negative charges.
• Hence, force balance is possible.
 Choose total distance as L, and position of +Q charge from -
Q as x.
 The net force on +Q is the sum of the two force vectors. This
has to be zero, so 2QQ ^ QQ ^
F  F1  F2  k i k i0
(L  x) 2
x 2
 Solution
 Note: k and Q will cancel and we end up with

2 1 ( L  x) 2
Lx
 2 2  2
( L  x) 2
x x 2
x
 Solving for x, L
x  0.412 L
1 2
Answer: slightly halfway but closer to -Q
 Now, try this.
 Solve for the magnitude and direction of the net force on q =
1C due to the other charges whose magnitude is the same
as q but with different signs.

Q1 Q2 Q3

R
√2 R √2 R

Q4
R
q