1. What is Coulomb's Law?

Definition: Coulomb's Law describes the electrostatic force between two charged particles. The force is proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Purpose: This fundamental law helps calculate the attractive or repulsive force between charged objects in physics and electrical engineering applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Electric force (Newtons)
• \( k \) — Coulomb's constant (8.99×10⁹ N m²/C²)
• \( q_1 \) — First charge (Coulombs)
• \( q_2 \) — Second charge (Coulombs)
• \( r \) — Distance between charges (meters)

Explanation: The force increases with larger charges and decreases rapidly with increasing distance.

3. Importance of Electric Force Calculation

Details: Understanding electric forces is crucial for designing electrical systems, analyzing atomic interactions, and developing technologies like capacitors and semiconductors.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both charges in Coulombs (1 electron = 1.6×10⁻¹⁹ C) and the distance in meters. Distance must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a negative force value mean?
A: The calculator shows magnitude only. In physics, negative force indicates attraction between opposite charges.

Q2: How accurate is Coulomb's Law?
A: It's extremely accurate for stationary point charges, but requires modification for moving charges or quantum scales.

Q3: What's the range of electric forces?
A: Electric forces can range from tiny (atomic scales) to enormous (lightning strikes).

Q4: How does medium affect the force?
A: The presence of material between charges reduces force by the medium's dielectric constant.

Q5: Why is distance squared in the formula?
A: This reflects how electric field strength diminishes with the square of distance from a charge.