Answer:
1. Largest force: C; smallest force: B; 2. ratio = 9:1
Explanation:
The formula for the force exerted between two charges is
where K is the Coulomb constant.
q₁ and q₂ are also identical and constant, so Kq₁q₂ is also constant.
For simplicity, let's combine Kq₁q₂ into a single constant, k.
Then, we can write
1. Net force on each particle
Let's
- Call the distance between adjacent charges d.
- Remember that like charges repel and unlike charges attract.
Define forces exerted to the right as positive and those to the left as negative.
(a) Force on A
(b) Force on B
(C) Force on C
(d) Force on D
(e) Relative net forces
In comparing net forces, we are interested in their magnitude, not their direction (sign), so we use their absolute values.
2. Ratio of largest force to smallest
