Question

A small planet is discovered to have a layer of electrically charged dust floating at 1000m above the surface because of the balance between the gravitational forces and electrical forces exerted on the dust by the planet. If the dust layer is moved to 2000m above the surface, what will happen to the dust, and why

Answer 1

As the dust layer is moved to 2000m above the surface, the gravitational force of the particle will decrease due to increase in the distance of separation between the layer of dust particle and the planet.

Balanced force between gravitational force and electric force

The balanced force between gravitational force  of the planet and electric force of the dust particles creates equilibrium position for the dust particles.

Gravitational force of the particles

According Newton's law of universal gravitation, the force of attraction will decrease with increase in the distance of separation.

$F = \frac{GMm}{R^2}$

Thus, as the dust layer is moved to 2000m above the surface, the gravitational force of the particle will decrease due to increase in the distance of separation between the layer of dust particle and the planet.

Learn more about Newton's law of universal gravitation here: https://brainly.com/question/9373839