Electrostatic force

Definition

Electrostatic force is the force of attraction or repulsion between electrically charged objects. It follows Coulomb's Law, which states that the force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between charges and directly proportional to the product of the charges.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Electrostatic force can be both attractive and repulsive depending on the nature of the charges involved.
2. The magnitude of electrostatic force decreases with the square of the distance between two charges.
3. Coulomb's Law mathematically defines electrostatic force: $F = k \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2}$, where $k$ is Coulomb's constant, $q_1$ and $q_2$ are charges, and $r$ is the distance between them.
4. Like charges repel each other while opposite charges attract each other.
5. Electrostatic forces are central in determining molecular structures and interactions.

Review Questions

• What does Coulomb's Law state about electrostatic forces?
• How does the distance between two charged objects affect their electrostatic force?
• In what ways can electrostatic forces manifest themselves?

Related terms

Coulomb's Law: A law stating that the electrostatic force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating them.

Electric Field: A field around a charged particle where an electric charge experiences a force.

Potential Energy: The energy possessed by an object due to its position relative to other objects; in this context, it refers to energy due to positions within an electric field.