Coulomb’s Law (Grade 11 NSC Matric Physical Sciences): Flashcards

Like charges repel; unlike charges attract

Force between charges at rest

$F = \frac{kQ_1Q_2}{r^2}$

$9.0 \times 10^9$ N⋅m²⋅C⁻²

Force becomes 4 times weaker

Force becomes 9 times weaker

Attractive (pull towards each other)

Repulsive (push away from each other)

Electrostatic forces much stronger

Calculate each force separately, then add as vectors