1. What is the Magnitude of Electric Force Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the magnitude of the electrostatic force between two point charges using Coulomb's Law.

Purpose: It helps students, physicists, and engineers determine the force between charged particles in electrostatics problems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Coulomb's Law formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Magnitude of electric force (Newtons)
• \( k \) — Coulomb's constant (8.98755×10⁹ 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 electrostatic forces is crucial for designing electrical systems, studying atomic structure, and analyzing electromagnetic phenomena.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the two charges in Coulombs (can be positive or negative), the distance between them in meters, and Coulomb's constant. Distance must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Coulomb's constant?
A: It's approximately 8.98755×10⁹ N·m²/C² in a vacuum. The default value is set to this.

Q2: Does the calculator consider charge signs?
A: It calculates magnitude only. The direction (attraction/repulsion) depends on charge signs.

Q3: What units should I use?
A: Use Coulombs for charge, meters for distance, and the force will be in Newtons.

Q4: Why is distance squared in the formula?
A: This inverse-square law relationship comes from the geometry of electric field lines spreading in 3D space.

Q5: Can I use this for non-point charges?
A: The formula is exact for point charges. For distributed charges, integration may be needed.