Force Of Attraction Calculator Atoms

Coulomb's Law Equation:

\[ F = k \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2} \]

Force of Attraction (F):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is Coulomb's Law?

Coulomb's Law describes the electrostatic interaction between electrically charged particles. It states that the force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Coulomb's Law equation:

\[ F = k \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2} \]

Where:

\( F \) — Force of attraction (N)
\( k \) — Coulomb's constant (8.99 × 10⁹ N m²/C²)
\( q_1 \) — Charge of first particle (C)
\( q_2 \) — Charge of second particle (C)
\( r \) — Distance between charges (m)

Explanation: The equation calculates the magnitude of the electrostatic force between two charged particles. Like charges repel (positive force), while opposite charges attract (negative force).

3. Importance of Coulomb's Law

Details: Coulomb's Law is fundamental to understanding electromagnetic interactions, atomic structure, chemical bonding, and many phenomena in physics and chemistry. It helps explain how atoms form molecules and how charged particles interact in various materials.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter charges in Coulombs (C) and distance in meters (m). Note that the calculator returns the magnitude of the force. The direction (attraction or repulsion) depends on whether the charges have the same or opposite signs.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the value of Coulomb's constant?
A: Coulomb's constant k is approximately 8.99 × 10⁹ N m²/C². It's derived from the permittivity of free space.

Q2: How does distance affect the force?
A: The force decreases with the square of the distance. Doubling the distance reduces the force to one-quarter of its original value.

Q3: What are typical charge values for atoms?
A: Elementary charge is 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ C. Atoms typically have charges in multiples of this value when ionized.

Q4: Does this work for both attraction and repulsion?
A: Yes, the equation gives the magnitude. The sign of the product q₁q₂ determines if it's attractive (negative) or repulsive (positive).

Q5: What are the limitations of Coulomb's Law?
A: It applies exactly only for point charges in a vacuum. For continuous charge distributions or in materials, modifications are needed.