Two identical small charged spheres are a certain distance apart, and each one initially experiences an electrostatic force of magnitude f due to the other. with time, charge gradually diminishes on both spheres by leaking off. when each of the spheres has lost half its initial charge, what will be the magnitude of the electrostatic force on each one?

Question

Phillip Ortega

Physics

30 September, 18:49

Two identical small charged spheres are a certain distance apart, and each one initially experiences an electrostatic force of magnitude f due to the other. with time, charge gradually diminishes on both spheres by leaking off. when each of the spheres has lost half its initial charge, what will be the magnitude of the electrostatic force on each one?

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Mark Bolton · Answer 1

The electrostatic force is directly proportional to the product of the charges, by Coulomb's law.

F α Qq

If the charges are now half the initial charges:

F α (1/2) Q * (1/2) q

F α (1/4) Q q

The new force when the charges are each halved is (1/4) the first initial force experienced at full charge.