Does Coulomb's Law Apply Equally to Unequal Charges?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Yosty22
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Coulomb's law Law
Click For Summary
Coulomb's Law states that the magnitudes of the forces between two point charges are equal, regardless of their magnitudes. Therefore, when considering two charges, q1 and q2, where the absolute value of q1 is less than that of q2, the forces they exert on each other remain equal in magnitude. This is consistent with Newton's Third Law, which asserts that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The confusion in the discussion stemmed from misunderstanding the implications of charge magnitudes on force direction rather than magnitude. Ultimately, the forces are indeed equal, confirming option C as correct.
Yosty22
Messages
182
Reaction score
4

Homework Statement



Two point charges, q1 and q2, are separated by a distance r. If the absolute value of q1 < the absolute value of q2, then

a) The magnitude of the electric force that q1 exerts on q2 is greater than the magnitude of the electric force that q2 exerts on q1.
b) The magnitude of the electric force that q1 exerts on q2 is less than the magnitude of the electric force that q2 exerts on q1.
c). The magnitudes of the forces are equal.

Homework Equations



F=k(abs(q1q2)/r2

The Attempt at a Solution



I was thinking that the answer should be C. I'm not completely sure why. Is this correct? If so, how do you know?

Thanks in advanced.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yosty22 said:

Homework Statement



Two point charges, q1 and q2, are separated by a distance r. If the absolute value of q1 < the absolute value of q2, then

a) The magnitude of the electric force that q1 exerts on q2 is greater than the magnitude of the electric force that q2 exerts on q1.
b) The magnitude of the electric force that q1 exerts on q2 is less than the magnitude of the electric force that q2 exerts on q1.
c). The magnitudes of the forces are equal.

Homework Equations



F=k(abs(q1q2)/r2

The Attempt at a Solution



I was thinking that the answer should be C. I'm not completely sure why. Is this correct? If so, how do you know?

Thanks in advanced.

Simple:

Newton's Third Law
 
PeterO said:
Simple:

Newton's Third Law

Oops, Duh! Thank you for the response, I wasn't thinking for a second there haha. :)
 

Thread 'Magnitude of buoyant force in fluids of different densities'

The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?
View full post »

Similar threads

Possible variables for Coulombs Law?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Electrostatic Force: +3.2 C & -1.6 C Magnitude of Force
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
How to find distance between 2 charges, with no force given?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Dependence of Coulomb's law on the medium
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Finding the position of a middle charge to have Zero Net Force
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Calculate the total force on Q1
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Electric Charge and Force free body diagrams
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Change in electric potential energy
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Coulomb's Law in 3D: Find Electric Force & Field
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Net force acting on positive charge
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K