Two charged bodies separated by distance "d" exert an electrical force
on each other. The distance "d" is increased 4 times. THe electrical
force on each body now?
a. decreased by 1/4
b. decreased by 1/16
c. stays the same
d. increased by 2 times
e. none of the above

Hello again answer123.

This problem is governed by Coulomb’s law, which states that two
charged particles exert a force on each other equal to:

F=k[(q1)*(q2)]/d^2

Where q1 is the charge of the first particle, q1 is the charge of the
second particle and d is the distance between the two particles. K is
a constant.

Therefore, the force is inversely proportional to the distance
squared.

If the distance "d" is increased 4 times, then   F=k[(q1)*(q2)]/(4d)^2
which is equal to F=k[(q1)*(q2)]/[(16)d^2].

Therefore the answer is b, the force is decreased by 1/16.

If this is not clear, or if you need more information, please request
a clarification.

Thanks,
Googlenut

Reference:

Michigan State University
http://www.pa.msu.edu/courses/1997spring/PHY232/lectures/coulombslaw/formula.htm


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