Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

Coulomb's Law
23-1. Two balls each having a charge of 3 C are separated by 20 mm. What is the force of
repulsion between them?
F

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(3 x 10-6C)(3 x 10-6C)

;
(20 x 10-3m) 2

F = 202 N

23-2. Two point charges of -3 and +4 C are 12 mm apart in a vacuum. What is the
electrostatic force between them?
F

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )( 3 x 10-6C)(4 x 10-6C)

;
(12 x 10-3 m) 2

F = 750 N, attraction

23-3. An alpha particle consists of two protons (qe = 1.6 x 10-19 C) and two neutrons (no charge).
What is the repulsive force between two alpha particles separated by 2 nm?
q = 2(1.6 x 10-19 C) = 3.2 x 10-19 C
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(3.2 x 10-19C)(3.2 x 10-19C)
F
;
(2.00 x 10-9 m) 2

F = 2.30 x 10-10 N

23-4. Assume that the radius of the electron's orbit around the proton in a hydrogen atom is
approximately 5.2 x 10-11 m. What is the electrostatic force of attraction?
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(1.6 x 10-19C)( 1.6 x 10-19C)
F
;
(5.2 x 10-11m) 2

F = 8.52 x 10-8 N

23-5. What is the separation of two -4 C charges if the force of repulsion between them is
200 N?
r

kqq '
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )( 4 x 10-6C) 2
;

F
200 N

60

r = 26.8 mm

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

23-6. Two identical charges separated by 30 mm experience a repulsive force of 980 N. What is
the magnitude of each charge?
F

kq 2
; q
r2

Fr 2
(980 N)(0.030 m) 2
;

k
9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2

q = 9.90 C

*23-7. A 10 C charge and a -6 C charge are separated by 40 mm. What is the force
between them. The spheres are placed in contact for a few moments and then separated
again by 40 mm. What is the new force? Is it attractive or repulsive?
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )( 6 x 10-6C)(10 x 10-6C)
F
;
(40 x 10-3 m) 2

F = 338 N, attraction
10 C

-6 C

When spheres touch, 6 C of charge are neutralized,

0.08 m

leaving 4 C to be shared by two spheres, or

2 C

2 C

+2 C on each sphere. Now they are again separated.

2 C

2 C

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(2 x 10-6C)(2 x 10-6C)

F
;
(0.080 m) 2

0.08 m

F = 5.62 N, repulsion

*23-8. Two point charges initially attract each other with a force of 600 N. If their separation is
reduced to one-third of its original distance, what is the new force of attraction?
1
F 2;
r

r 2

F2 F1 12 F 1
r2

Fr F r ;
2
11

2
2 2

3r
F2 F1 2
r2

r1

r2

9 F1 ;

61

F2 = 5400 N

r1 = 3 r2

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

The Resultant Electrostatic Force

23-9. A +60 C charge is placed 60 mm to the left of a +20 C charge. What is the resultant
force on a -35 C charge placed midway between the two charges?
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(60 x 10-6C)(35 x 10-6C)
F13
(30 x 10-3 m) 2
F13 = 2.10 x 104 N, directed to the left
F23

+60 C

60 mm
-35 C

+20 C

q1

q3

q2
F2

F1

(9 x 10 N m /C )(20 x 10 C)(35 x 10 C)
; F13 = 2.10 x 104 N, directed to right.
(30 x 10-3 m) 2
9

-6

-6

FR = F13 + F23 = (-2.10 x 104 N) + (0.700 x 104 N);

FR = -1.40 x 104 N, left.

23-10. A point charge of +36 C is placed 80 mm to the left of a second point charge of -22
C. What force is exerted on third charge of +10 C located at the midpoint?
F13

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(36 x 10-6C)(10 x 10-6C)

(40 x 10-3 m) 2

+36 C

80 mm
10 C

q1

q3

F13 = 2025 N, directed to the right

F23

-22 C
F1

q2

F2

(9 x 10 N m /C )(22 x 10 C)(10 x 10 C)
; F13 = 1238 N, directed to right.
(40 x 10-3 m) 2
9

-6

-6

FR = F13 + F23 = 2025 N + 1238 N;

FR = 3260 N, left.

23-11. For Problem 23-10, what is the resultant force on a third charge of +12 C placed
between the other charges and located 60 mm from the +36 C charge?
F13

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(36 x 10-6C)(12 x 10-6C

(60 x 10-3 m) 2

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C2 )(22 x 10-6C)(12 x 10-6C)

F23
;
(20 x 10-3 m) 2
Both to right, so FR = F13 + F23 = 1080 N + 5940 N;

62

+36 C
q1

80 mm
q3 = 12 C

60 mm
F2

F = 7020 N, rightward.

-22 C
F1

q2

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

23-12. A +6 C charge is 44 mm to the right of a -8 C charge. What is the resultant force on

a -2 C charge that is 20 mm to the right of the -8 C charge?
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(8 x 10-6C)(2 x 10-6C)
F13
(20 x 10-3 m) 2
F23

-8 C

44 mm

q3 = -2 C

q1 20 mm

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C2 )(2 x 10-6C)(6 x 10-6C)

;
(24 x 10-3 m) 2

Both to right, so FR = F13 + F23 = 360 N + 187.5 N;

6 C

24 mm

F1

F2

q2

F = 548 N, rightward

*23-13. A 64-C charge is locate 30 cm to the left of a 16-C charge. What is the resultant
force on a -12 C charge positioned exactly 50 mm below the 16 C charge?
+64 C 30 mm q2 16 C

s (30 mm) 2 (50 mm) 2 58.3 mm

50 mm
tan
;
30 mm
F13

59.0

q1

(9 x 10 N m /C )(64 x 10 C)(12 x 10 C)
(58.3 x 10-3 m) 2
9

-6

50 mm

-6

F1

F2

F13 = 2033 N, 59.00 N of W

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C2 )(16 x 10-6C)(12 x 10-6C)
F23
= 691 N, upward.
(50 x 10-3m) 2
Fx = 0 F13 cos 59.00 = -(2033 N) cos 590 ;

q3 = -12 C

Fx = -1047 N

Fy = F23 + F13 sin 59.00 = 691 N + (2033 N) sin 590; Fy = 2434 N

F (1047 N) 2 (2434 N) 2 2650 N;

tan

2434 N
;
-1047 N

= 66.70 N of W.

Resultant force: FR = 2650 N, 66.70 N of W (or 113.30)

63

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

*23-14. A charge of +60 nC is located 80 mm above a -40-nC charge. What is the resultant force
on a -50-nC charge located 45 mm horizontally to the right of the -40-nC charge?
+60 C

s (45 mm) 2 (80 mm) 2 91.8 mm

tan

80 mm
;
45 mm

q1

60.640

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(60 x 10-6C)(50 x 10-6C)

F13
(91.8 x 10-3 m) 2

F1
q2

F13 = 2564 N, 60.640 N of W

F23

80 mm

-40 C

45 mm

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C2 )(40 x 10-6C)(50 x 10-6C)

= 8889 N, rightward.
(45 x 10-3 m) 2

Fx = F13 cos 60.640 + F23 = - (2564 N) cos 60.640 + 8889 N ;

Fy = +F13 sin 60.640 + 0 = (2564 N) sin 60.640 ;
F (7632 N) 2 (2235 N) 2 ; tan

2235 N
;
7632 N

F2
q3 = -50 C

Fx = 7632 N

Fy = 2235 N

FR = 7950 N, = 16.30 N of E.

*23-15. Three point charges q1 = + 8 C, q2 = -4 C, and q3 = +2 C are placed at the corners

of an equilateral triangle, 80 mm on each side as described by Fig. 23-15. What are the
magnitude and direction of the resultant force on the +8 C charge?
F21

80 mm

F21 = 45.0 N, 600 S of E

F31

q1= 8 C

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(4 x 10-6C)(8 x 10-6C)

(80 x 10-3 m) 2

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(2 x 10-6C)(8 x 10-6C)

(80 x 10-3m) 2

F31 = 22.5 N, 600 N of E;

q3
+2 C

600
600

F1

80 mm q = -4 C
2

Fx = (22.5 N) cos 600 + (45 N) cos 600 = 33.8 N

Fy = (22.5 N) sin 600 - (45 N) sin 600 = -19.5 N

64

80 mm

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

*23-15. (Cont.)

F (33.8 N) 2 (19.5 N) 2 = 39.0 N; tan

Resultant electric force:

-19.5 N
; 300
33.8 N

FR = 39.0 N, = 330.00

Challenge Problems
23-16. What should be the separation of two +5-uC charges so that the force of repulsion is 4 N?
r

kqq '
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(5 x 10-6C) 2
;

F
4.00 N

r = 23.7 cm

23-17. The repulsive force between two pith balls is found to be 60 N. If each pith ball carries
a charge of 8 nC, what is their separation?
r

kqq '
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(8 x 10-9C) 2
;

F
60 x 10-6 N

r = 98.0 mm

23-18. Two identical unknown charges experience a mutual repulsive force of 48 N when
separated by 60 mm. What is the magnitude of each charge?
F

kq 2
; q
r2

Fr 2
(48 N)(0.060 m) 2
;

k
9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2

q = 4.38 C

23-19. One object contains an excess of 5 x 1014 electrons and another has a deficiency of 4 x
1014 electrons. What is the force each exerts on the other if the objects are 30 mm apart?
Is it attraction or repulsion? ( 1e = 1.6 x 10-19 C, excess = -, deficiency = +. )
q1 = (5 x 1014 e)(1.6 x 10-19 C/e) = -80 C; q2 = (4 x 1014 e)(1.6 x 10-19 C/e) = +64 C
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(80 x 10-6C)(64 x 10-6C)
F
;
(30 x 10-3 m) 2

65

F = 5.12 x 104 N, attraction

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

23-20. If it were possible to put 1 C of charge on each of two spheres separated by a distance of
1 m, what would be the repulsive force in newtons.
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(1 C)(1 C)
F
;
(1 m) 2

F = 9 x 109 N !

The coulomb is a very large unit for electrostatics applications.

23-21. How many electrons must be placed on each of two spheres separated by 4 mm in order
to produce a repulsive force of one 400 N?
F

kq 2
; q
r2

Fr 2
(400 N)(0.004 m) 2
;

k
9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2

1e

;
-19
1.6 x 10 C

q 843 x 10-9 C

q = 843 nC

q = 5.27 x 1012 electrons

23-22. A 40-nC charge is placed 40 mm to the left of a +6-nC charge. What is the resultant
force on a 12-nC charge place 8 mm to the right of the +6-nC charge?
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(40 x 10-9C)(12 x 10-9C)
F1
(48 x 10-3 m) 2

6 nC

-40 nC

40 mm

Both to right, so FR = F1 + F2 = 1.88 mN 10.1 mN;

8 mm

q2

q1

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(6 x 10-9C)(12 x 10-9C)

F2
;
(8 x 10-3 m) 2

q3 = -12 nC

F1

F2

F = -8.25 mN, leftward

23-23. A 5-C charge is placed 6 cm to the right of a 2-C charge. What is the resultant force
on a 9 nC charge placed 2 cm to the left of the 2-C charge?
F1

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(9 x 10-9C)(2 x 10-6C)

(2 x 10-2 m) 2

-9 nC
2 cm

2 C
q1

F1 = +405 mN, to right

F2
66

6 cm
F1

5 C
q2

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

F2

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(5 x 10-6C)(9 x 10-9C)

;
(8 x 10-2 m) 2
Resultant force:

F2 = +63.3 mN, to right

FR = 405 mN + 63.3 mN;

FR = 468 mN

23-24. An equal number of electrons is placed on two metal spheres 3.0 cm apart in air. How
many electrons are on each sphere if the resultant force is 4500 N?
kq 2
F 2 ; q
r

Fr 2
(4500 N)(0.03 m) 2
;

k
9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2

1e

;
-19
1.6 x 10 C

q 21.2 x 10-6 C

q = 21.2 C

q = 1.33 x 1014 electrons

23-25. A 4-nC charge is placed on a 4-g sphere that is free to move. A fixed 10-C point
charge is 4 cm away. What is the initial acceleration of the 4-C charge?
F2

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(4 x 10-9C)(10 x 10-6C)

;
(4 x 10-2 m) 2
a

F 0.225 N

m 0.004 kg

F2 = 225 mN

a = 56.2 m/s2

*23-26. What is the resultant force on a +2 C charge an equal distance of 60 mm from each of
two 4-C charges that are 80 mm apart in air?
tan

F2

40 mm
;
60 mm

48.20

F2

60 mm
-6

-6

F2 = 20.0 N, 48.20 S of E
F1

F1

(9 x 10 N m /C )(4 x 10 C)(2 x 10 C)
(60 x 10-3 m) 2
9

q1= 2 C

60 mm

q3

-4 C

q2 = -4 C
40 mm

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(2 x 10-6C)(4 x 10-6C)

;
(60 x 10-3 m) 2

67

F1 = 20.0 N, 48.20 S of W

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

Fx = (20 N) cos 48.20 + (20 N) cos 48.20 = 13.33 N - 13.33 N; Fx = 0

*23-26. (Cont.)

Fy = (20 N) sin 48.20 + (20 N) sin 48.20 = 14.9 N + 14.9 N;

Fy = -29.8 N

Resultant force: FR = 29.8 N, downward

*23-27. Two charges of +25 and +16 C are 80 mm apart. A third charge of +60 C is placed
between the other charges 30 mm from the +25 C charge. Find the resultant force on
the third charge?
2

-6

80 mm

-6

16 C

q3 = 60 C

25 C

(9 x 10 N m /C )(60 x 10 C)(25 x 10 C)
F1
(30 x 10-3 m) 2
9

q1 30 mm

q2

50 mm

F1

F2

F1 = 15 kN, directed to the right

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(60 x 10-6C)(16 x 10-6C)

F2
; F13 = 3.46 kN, directed to left.
(50 x 10-3 m) 2
FR = F1 + F2 = 15 kN + 3.46 kN);

FR = 11.5 kN, right.

*23-28. A 0.02-g pith ball is suspended freely. The ball is given a charge of +20 C and placed
0.6 m from a charge of +50 C. What will be the initial acceleration of the pith ball?
F

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(20 x 10-6C)(50 x 10-6C)

;
(0.600 m) 2
a

F
25.0 N

;
m 2 x 10-5 kg

F = 25.0 N

a = 1.25 x 106 m/s

*23-29. A 4 C charge is located 6 cm from an 8 C charge. At what point on a line joining

the two charges will the resultant force be zero?
F1 F2 ;

F1 = F2

4 C

kq3q1
kq3 q2

2
x
(6 x) 2

q2

68

6 cm - x
q3

8 C
q1

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

F1 F2 ;

q1
q2

;
2
x
(6 x) 2
x

Take square root of both sides:

q1
2
(6 x)
q
2

x2

4 C
(6 - x);
8 C

q1
(6 - x) =
q2

x = 0.707(6 - x)

Solving for x, we obtain: x = 2.49 cm from 4-C charge

*23-30. A charge of +8 nC is placed 40 mm to the left of a 14 nC charge. Where should a third
charge be placed if it is to experience a zero resultant force?
F1 = F2

Considering the sign of the charges and

their magnitudes, the charge must be to the

q3

left of the 8 nC charge as shown.

F1 F2 ;

kq3 q1
kq3 q2

2
x
(40 x) 2

F1 F2 ;

-14 nC

8 nC

40 mm

q1

q2

q1
2
(40 x)
q2

q1
q2

;
2
x
(40 x ) 2

x2

Take square root of both sides:

q1
8 nC
(40 x) =
(40 x); x = 0.756(40+ x)
q2
14 nC
Solving for x, we obtain:

x = 124 mm left of 8 nC charge.

*23-31. A +16-C charge is 80 mm to the right of a +9 C. Where should a third charge be

placed so that the resultant force is zero?
F1 F2 ;

kq3q1
kq3 q2

2
x
(80 x ) 2

F1 F2 ;

Take square root of both sides:

q1

q1
q2

;
2
x
(80 x) 2
x

F1 = F2

9 C
x

80 mm - x

q2

q1
2
(80 x)
q2

x2

q1
9 C
(80 - x) =
(80 - x);
q2
16 C

69

q3

+16 C

x = 0.750(80 - x)

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

Solving for x, we obtain: x = 34.3 mm from 9-C charge

*23-32. Two 3-g spheres are suspended from a common point with two 80 mm light silk threads
of negligible mass. What charge must be placed on each sphere if their final positions
are 50 mm apart?
cos
T

25 mm
;
80 mm

= 71.80

kq 2
9.67 mN;
r2

mg

T = 30.9 mN

Tx = T cos 71.80 = (30.9 mN) cos 71.80;

F

Ty = T sin = mg

mg
(3 x 10-3 kg)(9.8 m/s 2 )

;
sin
sin 71.80

80 mm

Tx = 9.67 mN;

25 mm

Fx = 0:

Fr 2
(9.67 x 10-3 N)(50 x 10-3m) 2
;

k
9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2

mg

F = Tx

q = 51.8 nC

Critical Thinking Questions

*23-33. A small metal sphere is given a charge of +40 C, and a second sphere 8 cm away is
given a charge of 12 C. What is the force of attraction between them? If the two
spheres are allowed to touch and are then again placed 8 cm apart, what new electric
force exists between them? Is it attraction or repulsion?
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(12 x 10-6C)(40 x 10-6C)
F
;
(0.080 m) 2

F = 675 N, attraction

When spheres touch, 6 C of charge are neutralized,

-12 C

40 C
0.08 m

leaving 28 C to be shared by two spheres, or

+14 C on each sphere. Now they are again separated:

14 C

14 C
14 C

14 C
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(14 x 10-6C)(14 x 10-6C)
F
;
(0.080 m) 2

70

0.08 m

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

F = 276 N, repulsion

*23-34. The total charge on two metal spheres 50 mm apart is 80 C. If they repel each other
with a force of 800 N, what is the charge on each sphere?
q1 + q2 = 80 C;
F

kq1q2 kq1 (80 C - q1 )

;
r2
r2

kq1 (80 C ) kq12

;
r2

(800 N)(50 x 10-3 m) 2

(80 C)q1 q12 ;
(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )

q2

q1

q2 = 80 C q1
F

50 mm

Fr 2
(80 C)q1 q12
k

q12 (80 x 10-6 C)q1+ 222 x 10-12 C2 = 0

Solve the quadratic equation with a = 1, b = - 80 x 10-6, and c = 222 x 10-12

q1 = 77.1 C

and q1 = 2.89 C

Now q2 = 80 C q1 yields the following : q2 = 2.89 C and q2 = 77.1 C

Thus, one charge is 77.1 C and the other is 2.89 C
*23-35. Four small spheres are each given charges of q = +20 C and placed at the corners of a
square with sides of length 6 cm. Show that the resultant force on each charge has a
magnitude equal to 1914 N. What is the direction of the force? What will change if the
charges are each q = -20 C? (Like charges repel, so sign doesnt matter.) F1
R (6 cm) (6 cm) 8.485 cm
2

6 cm

F1

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(20 x 10-6C)(20 x 10-6C)

(6 x 10-2 m) 2

6 cm

F2

(9 x 109 N m 2 /C 2 )(20 x 10-6C)(20 x 10-6C)

(8.485 x 10-2 m) 2

F1 = 1000 N;

F2

F1

6 cm

6 cm

F2 = 500 N; For a square, the angle = 450

Fx = (1000 N) + (500 N) cos 450 + 0 = 1354 N; Fy = 1000 N + (500 N) sin 450 = 1354 N
71

Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 23. The Electric Force

F (1354 N) 2 (1354 N) 2 ;

F = 1914 N, 450

away from center.

*23-36. Two charges q1 and q2 are separated by a distance r. They experience a force F at this
distance. If the initial separation is decreased by only 40 mm, the force between the
two charges is doubled. What was the initial separation?
2kq1q2
kq1q2

;
2
x
( x 40 mm) 2
2

x = 2(x 40 mm)

2
1

2
x
( x 40 mm) 2

F
q1

q2
x 40 mm

Take square root of both sides:

x = 1.414(x 40 mm);

2F

q1

2F q2

x = 137 mm

*23-37. Two 8-g pith balls are suspended from silk threads 60 cm long and attached to a
common point. When the spheres are given equal amounts of negative charge, the balls
come to rest 30 cm apart. Calculate the magnitude of the charge on each pith ball.
cos

0.15 m
;
0.60 m

= 75.50

Ty = T sin = mg

0.6 m

-3

mg
(8 x 10 kg)(9.8 m/s )

;
sin
sin 75.50

Tx = T cos 71.80 = (81.0 mN) cos 75.50;

F

kq 2
20.25 mN;
r2

T = 81.0 mN
Tx = 20.25 mN;

mg

Fx = 0:

Fr 2
(2.025 x 10-4 N)(0.30 m) 2
;

k
9 x 109 N m 2 /C2

72

0.15 m

mg

F = Tx

q = -450 nC