Repulsive Force

Definition

Repulsive force is a force that pushes objects away from each other. It occurs when two objects have the same type of charge (either both positive or both negative) and they repel each other.

Analogy

Imagine two magnets with the same poles facing each other. When you try to bring them together, they push against each other and resist being in close proximity. This pushing force is similar to repulsive force.

Related terms

Attractive Force: An attractive force is the opposite of a repulsive force. It pulls objects towards each other, like gravity pulling objects towards the Earth.

Electrostatics: Electrostatics is the study of stationary electric charges and their interactions, including repulsive forces between like charges.

Coulomb's Law: Coulomb's law describes the magnitude of electrostatic forces between charged particles and states that the force is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of their distance apart.