Question

In a thundercloud there may be an electric charge of +40 C near the top of the cloud and -40 C near the bottom of the cloud. These charges are separated by about 2.0 km. What is the electric force between these two sets of charges? (ke = 8.99 ´ 109 N·m2/C2)

Answer 1

Answer:

Electric force, $F=-3.59\times 10^6\ N$

Explanation:

Given that,

Electric charge 1, $q_1=+40\ C$

Electric charge 2, $q_2=-40\ C$

Distance, $d=2\ km=2\times 10^3\ m$

To find,

The electric force between these two sets of charges.

Solution,

There exists a force between two electric charges and this force is called electrostatic force. It is equal to the product of electric charged divided by square of distance between them.

$F=k\dfrac{q_1q_2}{d^2}$

k is the electrostatic constant

$F=8.99\times 10^9\times \dfrac{40\times (-40)}{(2\times 10^3)^2}$

$F=-3.59\times 10^6\ N$

So, the electric force between these two sets of charges is $-3.59\times 10^6\ N$.