Question

the table below shows four pairs of atoms and the electric charge of each atom. the atoms in each pair are located the same distance from each other.

pair	atom x	atom y
q	-3	-5
r	-3	+4
s	+1	+2

which pair of atoms is experiencing the strongest attractive force?

a. pair s
b. pair r
c. pair p
d. pair q

Explanation:

To determine the strongest attractive force, we use Coulomb's law (for electric force between charges), where force magnitude is proportional to the product of the charges (and inversely to distance squared, but distance is same here).

• Pair P: \( |+4| \times |-5| = 20 \)
• Pair Q: \( |-3| \times |-5| = 15 \) (repulsive, since same sign)
• Pair R: \( |-3| \times |+4| = 12 \)
• Pair S: \( |+1| \times |+2| = 2 \) (repulsive, same sign)

Attractive forces occur between opposite charges. Among attractive pairs (P, R), Pair P has the largest charge product (20), so it has the strongest attractive force.

Answer:

C. Pair P