Problem 2 Two charges, one of charge q and one of charge q2 are initially at a d

Question

Problem 2 Two charges, one of charge q and one of charge q2 are initially at a distance di apart and are brought together to a smaller distance, d2. d1 q1 d2 q1 a) If d 2d2, how does the force between the two charges initially compare to the force after they have been moved? b) How much work is done in bringing the charges together? c) How does the sign of this work depend on the signs of the charges? Interpret the meaning of the sign of the work if gi and ge have the same sign and if they are oppositely charged.

Explanation / Answer

Force will be given by F=KQq/r^2

a). As F is inversely proportional to the square of distance between charges and d1=2d2, so F1=F2/4

b) Work done is given by W = kQq/r, where r is distance between charges

W = (kQq/d2)-(kQq/d1)

W = (kQq/d2)-(kQq/2d2)

W= kQq/2d2

c) If the charges are of same sign then they will repel each other which will require positive work to bring charges together while if the charges are of different sign they will attract each other which will require negative work to bring the charges together.

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