Electrostatic force

Definition

Electrostatic force is the force of attraction or repulsion between two charged objects. It operates according to Coulomb's Law, which quantifies the magnitude of this force.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Electrostatic force is described by Coulomb's Law: $F = k \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2}$, where $F$ is the force, $q_1$ and $q_2$ are the charges, $r$ is the distance between them, and $k$ is Coulomb's constant.
2. The electrostatic force can be either attractive or repulsive depending on the charges involved; like charges repel, while opposite charges attract.
3. Coulomb’s constant ($k$) has a value of approximately $8.99 \times 10^9 \text{Nm}^2/\text{C}^2$.
4. The electrostatic force acts along the line joining the centers of two charged objects.
5. Electrostatic forces are central forces and obey Newton’s third law; this means that the forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

Review Questions

• What does Coulomb’s Law state about electrostatic force?
• How does the distance between two charged objects affect the electrostatic force between them?
• What determines whether electrostatic force will be attractive or repulsive?

Related terms

Electric Charge: A fundamental property of matter that can be either positive or negative and gives rise to electric forces and fields.

Coulomb’s Law: A law stating that the magnitude of the electrostatic force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of their separation distance.

Electric Field: A field around a charged object where other charged objects experience an electric force.