1. What is Coulomb's Law?

Definition: Coulomb's Law calculates the magnitude of the electrostatic force between two point charges.

Purpose: It helps physicists and engineers determine the electric force in systems with charged particles.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Coulomb's Law formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Electric force (Newtons)
• \( k \) — Coulomb's constant (8.988×10⁹ N·m²/C²)
• \( q_1, q_2 \) — Electric charges (Coulombs)
• \( r \) — Distance between charges (meters)

Explanation: The force is proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

3. Importance of Electric Force Calculation

Details: Understanding electric forces is crucial for designing electrical systems, analyzing atomic structures, and studying electromagnetic phenomena.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both charges in Coulombs (can be positive or negative) and the distance in meters (must be > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if the charges have opposite signs?
A: The calculator uses absolute values, so the result shows magnitude only. Opposite charges attract, same charges repel.

Q2: What's the value of Coulomb's constant?
A: Approximately 8.988×10⁹ N·m²/C² in a vacuum. It may differ in other media.

Q3: Does this work for point charges only?
A: Yes, the formula is exact for point charges. For distributed charges, integration is needed.

Q4: How small can the distance be?
A: The formula breaks down at atomic scales where quantum effects dominate.

Q5: What are typical charge values?
A: Everyday objects might have microcoulombs (10⁻⁶ C), while an electron has -1.602×10⁻¹⁹ C.