The electrostatic force on a small sphere of charge 0.4 μC due to another small sphere of charge − 0.8 μC in air is 0.2 N. (a) What is the distance betwe What is the force on the second sphere due to the first?
Electrostatic force on the first sphere, F=0.2N Charge on this sphere, q1=0.4μC=0.4×10−6C Charge on the second sphere, q2=−0.8μC=−0.8×10−6C Electrostatic force between the spheres is given by the relation, F=4πε0r2q1q2 And, 4πε01=9×109Nm2C−2 Where, ε0= Permittivity of free space r2=4πε0Fq1q2 =0.204×10−6×8×10−6×9×109 =144×10−4 r=144×10−4 =0.12m The distance between the two spheres is 0.12 m.
