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Electric Forces Between Small Spheres
Age 16 · Physics
Two small spheres with the same electric charge push each other away, while opposite charges pull together. The strength of this force decreases quickly as the distance between the spheres increases.
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Age 16: open this week
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In the picture
- Red sphere of the close pair: it faces a blue sphere, and the opposite charges attract.
- Blue sphere: it pulls the red sphere toward itself.
- Red sphere of the far pair: it faces another red sphere, and the like charges repel.
- Short arrow between the far red spheres: the repulsive force is weaker because the distance is larger.
Examples
- A rubbed balloon sticking to a wall after attracting opposite charges.
- A static shock when you touch a metal doorknob after walking on a carpet.
Key takeaways
- Like charges repel; opposite charges attract.
- The electric force between two charges is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Quiz: Electric Forces Between Small Spheres (Age 16)
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Which statement correctly describes the electric force between two like charges?
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Which statement correctly describes the electric force between two opposite charges?
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If the distance between two electric charges is doubled, what happens to the electric force between them?
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