Question

which two changes would decrease the electric force between two charged particles? a. increase the charge of both particles. b. decrease the charge of one of the particles. c. increase the charge of one of the particles. d. decrease the distance between the particles. e. increase the distance between the particles.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Coulomb's Law

Coulomb's Law is \(F = k\frac{q_1q_2}{r^2}\), where \(F\) is the electric force, \(k\) is a constant, \(q_1\) and \(q_2\) are the charges of the two particles, and \(r\) is the distance between them.

Step2: Analyze the effect of charge and distance on force

• If we decrease the charge of one of the particles (say \(q_1\) or \(q_2\)), since \(F\propto q_1q_2\) (from \(F = k\frac{q_1q_2}{r^2}\)), the force \(F\) will decrease.
• If we increase the distance \(r\) between the particles, since \(F\propto\frac{1}{r^2}\) (from \(F = k\frac{q_1q_2}{r^2}\)), the force \(F\) will decrease.

Answer:

B. Decrease the charge of one of the particles; E. Increase the distance between the particles.