Question

The magnitude of the electrostatic force between two identical ions that are separated by a distance of 5.0 x10^−10 m is 9.20 x 10^−10 N.
(a) What is the charge (in Coulombs) of each ion?

Answer 1

To solve this problem, we apply the concepts related to the electrostatic force proposed by Coulomb's law. This force can be expressed as

$F = \frac{kq_1q_2}{d^2}$

Here

k = Coulomb's constant

$q_{1,2}$= Charge of each object

d = Distance between objects

We have that the charge are the same, and the distance and the force are

$d = 5*10^{-10} m$

$F = 9.20*10^{-10} N$

Replacing we have,

$9.20*10^{-10} = \frac{9.9*10^9*q^2}{5*10^{-10}}$

Solving for q,

$q = 6.8165*10^{-15}C$

Therefore the charge of each ion is $6.8165*10^{-15}C$