Question

A boy rubs two balloons against his sweater. One balloon acquires a charge of 3.0 E -6 C. The other balloon acquires a charge of 2.5 E -7 C. If the balloons are positioned 1 cm apart, what is the electrical force between them?
Remember to identify all data (givens and unknowns), list equations used, show all your work, and include units and the proper number of significant digits to receive full credit.

Answer 1

Answer:

F= 67.5 N

Explanation:

We use the equation for the Coulomb's Law of Force between two charges Q1 and Q2 (in Coulombs) separated by a distance d (in meters):

$F=k\frac{Q1*Q2}{d^2}$

where the constant k is the Coulomb's constant ($9*10^9 N\frac{m^2}{C^2}$

The charges are $Q1=3.0*10^{-6}C$, Q2=2.5*10^{-7}C; the distance we convert into meters to match the appropriate units of the Coulomb constant k (1 cm = 0.01 m)

Now we input all these data into the equation, knowing that given the appropriate units, the force will be expressed in Newtons (N):

$F=k\frac{Q1*Q2}{d^2}\\F=9*10^9\frac{3.0*10^{-6}*2.5*10^{-7}}{0.01^2} N\\F= 67.5N$