Physlet Illustration: Coulomb's Law

 

 

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Q2= mC 
In this simulation, two charged particles are shown, along with vectors representing the net electric force experienced by each charge. Q1 is located at the point (0,0), and has a charge of 0.1 mC. Distances are given in cm and the force in Newtons. Can you verify Coulomb's law of electric force? 

Hints:

  1. Drag charge Q2 and watch how the force varies with its distance from other charge.
  2. Change the value of the second charge (-10 mC < Q2 < 10 mC) and see how the force changes.
  3. Is Coulomb's law obeyed?
  4. Can you verify the value of the force constant, k?

Reference

See Walker, Section 19-3

Illustration written by Steve Mellema