Two charged particles are placed ai a distance of 1cm apart. Find the minimum possible magnitude of the electrostatic force acting on each charge.

Question

wanted the answer for the above question quickly.

Answer 1

Your distance, r,  is constant here so the Force will depend on the charge. Minimum possible magnitude will occur when the force acting on the charge is at a minimum, i.e. the charge of one electron. 

Your q₁ = q₂= e = 1.6 x 10^-19C

Convert the r at 1cm to m, 1 x 10^-2m, because your units for Newtons have m²

Set the Force equation and plug in your values including the constant: F = kq₁q₂/r²

 

Answer 2

Use Coulomb's law.

 

F = kq₁q₂ / r²

 

Look up k in tables in your book.  

r = 1 cm

 

For minimum force, assume minimum charge for both q₁ and q₂, i.e. the charge of an electron (e), and use absolute value.

 

F_min = ke² / r²