F = k * (q₁ * q₂) / r²
Where:
* F is the electrostatic force between the charges (in Newtons, N)
* k is Coulomb's constant, approximately 8.98755 × 10⁹ N⋅m²/C²
* q₁ and q₂ are the magnitudes of the charges (in Coulombs, C)
* r is the distance between the charges (in meters, m)
Key Points:
* Direction: The force is attractive if the charges have opposite signs (one positive and one negative) and repulsive if they have the same sign (both positive or both negative).
* Inverse Square Law: The force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the charges. This means that as the distance doubles, the force decreases by a factor of four.
* Point Charges: This law applies to point charges, which are idealized objects with no size or shape. In reality, the charges are distributed over a volume or a surface.
* Vacuum: The value of Coulomb's constant k is valid for a vacuum. In other mediums, the force will be modified by the permittivity of the medium.
This equation is fundamental to understanding electrostatic interactions and plays a crucial role in many areas of physics and engineering.
