Chapter 10- Coulomb’s Law

What are the similarities between Newtons Gravitational Law and Coulomb’s Law?

1) Similar equation format

2) Have inverse relationships with r or k

3) Both equations have constants

4) proportional to the product of 2 masses or 2 charges

Coulomb’s Law

The magnitude of the force of electrostatic attraction or repulsion (Fe) is directly proportional to the product of the two charges (q1 and q2) and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centres

Equation of Coulomb’s Law

Fe= kq1q2 / r²

where

• Fe = electrostatic force (N)

• k = Coulomb’s constant (8.99 × 10^-9 Nm²/m²)

• q = charges (C)

• r = distance between 2 centres (metres)

Attractive or Repulsive?

If they are opposite charges, the electrostatic force is attractive, and vice versa