Question

Two point charges are released at rest in otherwise empty space. As time goes on, the magnitude of the force exerted on each of the particles decreases. Which of the following must be true?a. Both particles are negatively chargedb. Not enough infoc. The particles may be either both positively charged or both negatively chargedd. One particle is positively charged and the other is negatively chargede. Both particles are positively charged

Answer 1

Answer:

c.)

Explanation:

Assuming no other forces acting on the charges, if as time goes on, the magnitude of the force exerted on each of the particles decreases, as the electric force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between charges, the only explanation is that this distance is increasing, so the force on both charges is repulsive.

When the force is repulsive, all we can say, is that both charges are of the same type, so they can be both positively charged or both negatively charged, as stated by the choice c).