F = k * (q1 * q2) / r²
Where:
* F is the force of repulsion (in Newtons)
* k is Coulomb's constant (approximately 8.98755 × 10⁹ N⋅m²/C²)
* q1 and q2 are the magnitudes of the charges of the two particles (in Coulombs)
* r is the distance between the centers of the two particles (in meters)
Important Points:
* Repulsion: Positively charged particles repel each other.
* Directly Proportional: The force is directly proportional to the product of the charges. Larger charges result in a stronger force.
* Inverse Square Law: The force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the charges. As the distance increases, the force weakens rapidly.
Example:
Let's say two protons (each with a charge of +1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ Coulombs) are separated by a distance of 10⁻¹⁰ meters (a typical atomic distance). The force of repulsion between them can be calculated as:
F = (8.98755 × 10⁹ N⋅m²/C²) * ((1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ C) * (1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ C)) / (10⁻¹⁰ m)²
F ≈ 2.307 × 10⁻⁸ N
This means that the two protons are repelling each other with a force of about 23 nanonewtons.
