Electrostatic force

Definition

Electrostatic force is the attraction or repulsion between charged particles due to their electric fields. It follows Coulomb's law, which quantifies the magnitude of this force.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Electrostatic force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between two charges.
2. The electrostatic force can be either attractive or repulsive depending on the nature of the charges involved.
3. Coulomb's law formula: $F = k \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2}$ where $k$ is Coulomb's constant, $q_1$ and $q_2$ are the magnitudes of charges, and $r$ is the distance between them.
4. In a graph depicting electrostatic force against distance, the relationship forms a hyperbola, showing an inverse-square law behavior.
5. Electrostatic forces play a crucial role in determining molecular structures and chemical reactions.

Review Questions

• What mathematical relationship does electrostatic force follow according to Coulomb's law?
• How does the electrostatic force change as the distance between two charges increases?
• Can electrostatic forces be both attractive and repulsive? Give an example for each case.

Related terms

Coulomb's Law: A fundamental principle stating that the magnitude of electrostatic force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of their separation distance.

Electric Field: A region around a charged particle where other charged particles experience an electrostatic force.

Inverse-Square Law: A physical law stating that a specified physical quantity is inversely proportional to the square of its distance from its source.