Answer:
New force, F' = 2.33 N
Explanation:
It is given that,
A physicist found that a force of 0.72 N was measured between two charged sphere.
The distance between the spheres was, d = 0.9 m
We have to find the force between the two sphere when the distance was decreased to d' = 0.5 m
The force acting between two charged particles is given by :

i.e. F is inversely proportional to the square of distance between the charges. Let F' is the force when distance is decreased.
So, 

On solving, we get : F' = 2.33 N
Hence, on decreasing distance the force between the charges increases.