In a thundercloud there may be an electric charge of 40 C near the top of the cloud and −40 C near the bottom of the cloud. If these charges are separated by about 5 km, what is the magnitude of the electric force between these two sets of charges? The value of the electric force constant is 8.98755 × 10^9N · m2/C2. Answer in units of N
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Coulomb's law, force of attraction/repulsion
F = kQ₁Q₂/r²
Q₁ and Q₂ are the charges in coulombs
r is separation in meters
k = 8.99e9 Nm²/C²
F = (9e9)(40)² / (5000)² = 576000 Newtons
F = kQ₁Q₂/r²
Q₁ and Q₂ are the charges in coulombs
r is separation in meters
k = 8.99e9 Nm²/C²
F = (9e9)(40)² / (5000)² = 576000 Newtons