What Are Electrostatic Forces

There are several types of forces that relate to science. Physicists deal with the four fundamental forces: gravitational force, weak nuclear force, strong nuclear force, and electromagnetic force. The electrostatic force is associated with the electromagnetic force. Electrostatic Forces Definition   Electrostatic forces are attractive or repulsive forces between particles that are caused by their electric charges. This force is also called the Coulomb force or Coulomb interaction and is so named for French physicist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, who described the force in 1795. How the Electrostatic Force Works The electrostatic force acts over a distance of about one-tenth the diameter of an atomic nucleus or 10-16 m. Like charges repel one another, while unlike charges attract one another. For example, two positively charged protons repel each other as do two cations, two negatively charged electrons, or two anions. Protons and electrons are attracted to each other and so are cation and anions. Why Protons Dont Stick to Electrons While protons and electrons are attracted by electrostatic forces, protons dont leave the nucleus to get together with electrons because they are bound to each other and to neutrons by the strong nuclear force. The strong nuclear force is much more powerful than the electromagnetic force, but it acts over a much shorter distance. In a sense, protons and electrons are touching in an atom because electrons have properties of both particles and waves. The wavelength of an electron is comparable in size to an atom, so electrons cant get closer than they already are. Calculating the Electrostatic Force Using Coulombs Law The strength or force of the attraction or repulsion between two charged bodies can be calculated using Coulombs law: F kq1q2/r2 Here, F is the force, k is proportionality factor, q1 and q2 are the two electric charges, and r is the distance between the centers of the two charges. In the centimeter-gram-second system of units, k is set to equal 1 in a vacuum. In the meter-kilogram-second (SI) system of units, k in a vacuum is 8.98 Ãâ€" 109  newton square meter per square coulomb. While protons and ions have measurable sizes, Coulombs law treats them as point charges. Its important to note the force between two charges is directly proportional to the magnitude of each charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Verifying Coulombs Law You can set up a very simple experiment to verify Coulombs law. Suspend two small balls with the same mass and charge from a string of negligible mass. Three forces will act upon the balls: the weight (mg), the tension on the string (T), and the electric force (F). Because the balls carry the same charge, they will repel each other. At equilibrium: T sin ÃŽ ¸ F and T cos ÃŽ ¸ mg If Coulombs law is correct: F mg tan ÃŽ ¸ The Importance of Coulombs Law Coulombs law is extremely important in chemistry and physics because it describes the force between parts of an atom and between atoms, ions, molecules, and parts of molecules. As the distance between charged particles or ions increases, the force of attraction or repulsion between them decreases and the formation of an ionic bond becomes less favorable. When charged particles move closer to each other, energy increases and ionic bonding is more favorable. Key Takeaways: Electrostatic Force The electrostatic force is also known as the Coulomb force or Coulomb interaction.Its the attractive or repulsive force between two electrically charged objects.Like charges repel each other while unlike charges attract each other.Coulombs law is used to calculate the strength of the force between two charges. Sources Coulomb, Charles Augustin (1788) [1785]. Premier mà ©moire sur là ©lectricità © et le magnà ©tisme. Histoire de l’Acadà ©mie Royale des Sciences. Imprimerie Royale. pp. 569–577.Coulomb, Charles Augustin (1788) [1785]. Second mà ©moire sur là ©lectricità © et le magnà ©tisme. Histoire de l’Acadà ©mie Royale des Sciences. Imprimerie Royale. pp. 578–611.Stewart, Joseph (2001). Intermediate Electromagnetic Theory. World Scientific. p. 50. ISBN 978-981-02-4471-2Tipler, Paul A.; Mosca, Gene (2008). Physics for Scientists and Engineers. (6th ed.) New York: W. H. Freeman and Company. ISBN 978-0-7167-8964-2.Young, Hugh D.; Freedman, Roger A. (2010). Sears and Zemanskys University Physics: With Modern Physics. (13th ed.) Addison-Wesley (Pearson). ISBN 978-0-321-69686-1.