Question

Find the distance separating two dust particles (in m) if each has a charge of +e and the Coulomb force between them has magnitude 1.60 ✕ 10−14 N.

Answer 1

Answer:

Distance between dust particles, $r=1.2\times 10^{-7}\ m$

Explanation:

Given that,

Charge on the dust particle, $q_1=q_2=1.6\times 10^{-19}\ C$

Force between dust particles, $F=1.6\times 10^{-14}\ N$

We need to find the distance between two dust particles. The electrostatic force between dust particles is given by :

$F=k\dfrac{q_1q_2}{r^2}$, r = the distance

$r=\sqrt{k\dfrac{q_1q_2}{F}}$

$r=\sqrt{9\times 10^9\times \dfrac{(1.6\times 10^{-19})^2}{1.6\times 10^{-14}}}$

$r=1.2\times 10^{-7}\ m$

So, the distance between two dust particles is $1.2\times 10^{-7}\ m$. Hence, this is the required solution.