1. What is Coulomb's Law?

Definition: Coulomb's Law calculates the electric force between two charged particles.

Purpose: It helps physicists and engineers determine the magnitude of electrostatic force in various applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Coulomb's Law formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Electric force (Newtons)
• \( k \) — Coulomb's constant (8.99 × 10⁹ N m²/C²)
• \( q_1 \) — Charge of first particle (Coulombs)
• \( q_2 \) — Charge of second particle (Coulombs)
• \( r \) — Distance between particles (meters)

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

3. Importance of Coulomb's Law

Details: This fundamental law explains electrostatic interactions in atoms, molecules, and electrical systems.

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 will show a negative force value, indicating an attractive force between the particles.

Q2: What's the range of typical charge values?
A: Elementary charge is ~1.6×10⁻¹⁹ C. Macroscopic objects might have charges in microcoulombs (10⁻⁶ C) range.

Q3: Why is distance squared in the formula?
A: This inverse-square relationship is fundamental to field forces in three-dimensional space.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's exact for point charges in a vacuum. Real-world factors like medium permittivity may require adjustments.

Q5: What's the relationship between force and distance?
A: If distance doubles, force becomes 1/4th; if distance triples, force becomes 1/9th, etc.