One charge is decreased to one-third of its original value, and a second charge is decreased to one-half of its original value. How will the electrical force between the charges compare with the original force?
Answer
A
It will increase to six times the original force.
B
It will increase to thirty-six times the original force.
C
It will decrease to one-thirty-sixth the original force.
D
It will decrease to one-sixth the original force.
Explanation
By Coulomb’s law, the electrical force is proportional to the product of the two charges. Reducing one charge to 1/3 and the other to 1/2 makes the product (1/3)(1/2) = 1/6 of its original value, so the force decreases to one-sixth the original force.
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