Coulombʼs Law

by
Nada Saab-Ismail, PhD, MAT, MEd, IB

nhsaab.weebly.com
[email protected]

P3.7 Electric Charges

Electric force exists between any two charged objects. Oppositely charged objects attract, while objects with like
charge repel. The strength of the electric force between two charged objects is proportional to the magnitudes of
the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them (Coulomb’s Law).
P3.7A Predict how the electric force between charged objects varies when the distance between them and/or the
magnitude of charges change.
P3.7B Explain why acquiring a large excess static charge (e.g., pulling off a wool cap, touching a Van de Graaff generator,
combing) affects your hair.

1
 Items;

1- Net Electric Charge

2- Coulombʼs Law
3- Net Electrostatic Force

2
 Net Electric Charge (q)
By adding or removing electrons from it, matter will acquire a net electric charge
(q).

The magnitude of the electric charge (q) equals the elementary charge (e) times
the number of electrons added or removed (N).

The elementary charge (e) is a constant = 1.6 x 10-19 C

3
Example 1: Electroscope;
Calculate the charge (q) on a metal-leaf electroscope that has an excess of
5.0 x 1010 electrons.

q=Ne
N is the number of electrons
e is the elementary charge and is constant = 1.6 x 10-19

Data Table

N q e

5.0 x 1010 ? 1.6 x 10-19 C

q = (5.0 x 1010) (1.6 x 10-19 ) = 8.0 x 10-9 C

and because the charge is due to an excess of electron, it is negative.

4
 COULOMBʼS LAW

Two stationary charged objects (q1 and q1) separated by a distance (r) exert
electrostatic force on each other. The electrostatic force (F) is directed along the
line joining the charges (dashed line in the picture). Each point of charge exerts
the same force on the other.
As shown in figure above, the electrostatic force (F) is:
(a) attractive if the charges have unlike signs (-, +).
(b) repulsive if the charges have like signs (-,-) or (+,+).

5
The magnitude of the electrostatic force (F) exerted by one point charge (q1) on
another point charge (q2) is directly proportional to the magnitude (value) of the
charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance (r) between
them.

COULOMBʼS LAW

F : electrostatic force in Newton (N).

q1, q2 : is the charge in coulomb (C).
r : is the distance in meter (m).
K: is a constant = 8.99 x 109 N.m2/C2
Note:

means that you multiply only the values of q1, q2 without considering the positive or negative sign
(absolute values).

6
Example 2: Three Charges on a Line.
The figure below (a) shows three point charges (q1, q2 , q3) that lie along the
x axis in a vacuum. The free body diagram (b) shows two electrostatic forces F12
that F13 .

Data Table

q1 q2 k r12 F12

3.0 x 10-6 C -4.0 x 10-6 C 8.99 x 109 N.m2/C2 0.20 m ?

7
Source of the electrostatic force F12 and its magnitude (value). Determine the
magnitude and direction of the net electrostatic force (F) on q1.

Figure (b) is the free-body diagram of the forces that act on q1. It shows a force
F12 pointing to the left. It is the force exerted on q1 by q2 . Since q1 and q2
have opposite signs, they attract one another with the force F12 .
The magnitude of this force is calculated using the formula of Coulombʼs Law as
shown below.

Notice that the negative sign of q2 (-4.0) is omitted and is multiplied by 10-6 to
convert the unit from micro-coulomb to coulomb (4.0 x 10-6 C). The same is true
for the charge q1.

8
Example 3: Three charges on a line
The same free-body diagram (figure b) shows also another force F13 pointed to
the right.

Data Table

q1 q3 k r13 F13

3.0 x 10-6 C -7.0 x 10-6 C 8.99 x 109 N.m2/C2 0.15 m ?

9
It is the force exerted on q1 by q3 . Since q1 and q3 have opposite signs, they
attract one another with the force F13 . The magnitude of this force is calculated
using the formula of Coulombʼs Law.

Notice that the negative sign of q3 (-7.0) is omitted and is multiplied by 10-6 to
convert the unit from micro-coulomb to coulomb (7.0 x 10-6 C). The same is true
for the charge q1.

10
Example 4: Three Charges on a Line, Net Force;

The net force F is the vector sum of F12 and F13 .

F = F12 + F13
F12 points in the negative x direction, and F13 points in the positive x direction. F12
is given a negative sign (-2.7N). F13 is given a positive sign (+8.4N).

The plus sign in the answer indicates that the net force points to the right in the
drawing.

11
References:
1) Humanic. (2013). www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~humanic/. In Thomas Humanic
Brochure Page.

Physics 1200 Lecture Slides: Dr. Thomas Humanic, Professor of Physics, Ohio State
University, 2013-2014 and Current. www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~humanic/

2) Cutnell, J. D. & Johnson, K. W. (1998). Cutnell & Johnson Physics, Fourth Edition.
New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The edition was dedicated to the memory of Stella Kupferberg, Director of the Photo
Department:“We miss you, Stella, and shall always remember that a well-chosen
photograph should speak for itself, without the need for a lengthy explanation”

12
3) Martindale, D. G. & Heath, R. W. & Konrad, W. W. & Macnaughton, R. R. & Carle,
M. A. (1992). Heath Physics. Lexington: D.C. Heath and Company

4) Zitzewitz, P. W. (1999). Glencoe Physics Principles and Problems. New York:

McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

5) Schnick, W.J. (n.d.). Calculus-based physics, A Free Physics Textbook. Retrieved from
http://www.anselm.edu/internet/physics/cbphysics/index.html

6) Nada H. Saab (Saab-Ismail), (2010-2013) Westwood Cyber High School, Physics.

7) Nada H. Saab (Saab-Ismail), (2009- 2014) Wayne RESA, Bilingual Department.

13