Coulomb's Law

PHYSICS II LAB
Coulomb’s Law Lab
The Coulomb constant “k” is named after Charles-Augustin de Coulomb. This constant is associated with
the electric force and is also known as the electric force constant. When charged particles interact, a force
repels or attracts the particles. For instance, two like charges (such as a proton and a proton) repel each
other and travel in opposite directions and two unlike charges (such as an electron and a proton) will be
attracted to each other. The electrostatic force equation is shown below:
⃗ |q 1||q2|
F =k 2
r
2
9 N.m
Where k =8.988 ×10 2
C
Objective: Find the Coulomb Constant.
We will use the simulation Coulomb’s law on phet.
Figure 1: Coulomb’s Law simulation.

PHYSICS II LAB
Directions: Answer the following questions.
1. What is the equation for Coulomb’s Law and define each variable in the equation?
The equation for Coulombs law is: F=kq1q2/r2 Where F is the force between two charges, q1 ad q2 are the
magnitude of two charges r is the distance between two charges and k is the proportionally constant
and its value is 8.998x109Nm2/C2
2. What is the definition electric charge?
Electric Charge is the basic property of matter that is carried by the elementary particles and how these
particles are been affected by the electric and magnetic field. Electric charge can be either positive or negative
and neither be created nor destroyed
3. As the distance between electric charges increase, the electric force:
a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. Remains the same
4. As the distance between electric charges decrease, the electric force:
a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. Remains the same
5. Like charges:
a. Repel
b. Attract
c. None of these
6. Unlike charges:
a. Repel
PHYSICS II LAB
b. Attract
c. None of these
PHYSICS II LAB
Problem:
Three-point charges lie along a straight line as shown in figure 1 below, where 𝑞1 = 6.00 𝜇𝐶, 𝑞2 =
1.50 𝜇𝐶 , and 𝑞3 = −2.00 𝜇𝐶. The separation distances are 𝑑1 = 3.00 𝑐𝑚 and 𝑑2 = 2.00 𝑐𝑚. Calculate the
magnitude and direction of the net electric force on:
Figure 1
(a) 𝑞1
(b) 𝑞2
(c) 𝑞3
Show your work!!!!
Procedure:
1. Open the simulation Coulomb’s law on the phet website.
2. Select Macro Scale tab.
3. Set charge 1 to 10 𝜇𝐶 and set charge 2 to 1𝜇𝐶. Remember 1 𝐶 = 1 × 10−6𝜇𝐶
4. Make sure force value box is checked.
5. In data table 1 below the separation distance “r” is given to you. Separate the charges by 10 cm.
6. Record the force value in data table 1. It does not matter which force value you use since you
are only recording the magnitude of that force.
7. Repeat the process for the rest of the values.
8. Record the value for the separation distance in meters. Record your values in data table 1.
1
9. Find 2 . Record your values in data table 1.
r
PHYSICS II LAB
Value of 𝑞1=10uC 𝑞2= 1uC
r (cm) r (m) F (N) 1

2
( m¿¿−2) ¿
r
0.1 8.988 100

10
0.08 14.043 156.25

8
0.06 24.965 277.78

6
0.04 56.172 625

4
0.02 224.689 2500

2
Data Analysis
1. Once you have completed data table 1 make a graph of Force vs. Separation Distance. You do not
need to put an equation and R squared value on this graph.

PHYSICS II LAB
1
2. Make a second graph of Force vs 2 . You MUST put the equation and R squared value on this graph.
r
1
3. Use the Force vs. 2 graph to find the value of the Coulomb Constant “k”.
r
Slope = 0.0899
Q1=(10x10^-6)C
q2= 1x10^-6C
Where q1*q2=1x10^-11
So k =0.0899/1x10^-11
So k=8.99x10^9Nm^2/C^2
****NOTE****Submit all graphs with this assignment!!!!
2
N .m
4. Calculate the percentage error. The known value of 𝒌 = 𝟖. 𝟗𝟖𝟖 × 𝟏𝟎 2
𝟗
. Use the following
C
equation to calculate the percentage error.
|experimental value−accepted value|

% error= ×100 %
accepted value
Show your work!!!!!
0.12%
PHYSICS II LAB
Quick Activity
Watch the video “Spinning Nanofibers to Improve N-95 Masks” on electrospinning. Explain what this
process is in the space provided below. How is the electric force used in this process?
Video
Spinning Nano fibers to improve N-95 masks https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=llqx8FfnCXs

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PHYSICS II LAB

Coulomb’s Law Lab

attracted to each other. The electrostatic force equation is shown below:

Objective: Find the Coulomb Constant.

We will use the simulation Coulomb’s law on phet.

Figure 1: Coulomb’s Law simulation.

Directions: Answer the following questions.

and its value is 8.998x109Nm2/C2

2. What is the definition electric charge?

and neither be created nor destroyed

3. As the distance between electric charges increase, the electric force:

c. Remains the same

4. As the distance between electric charges decrease, the electric force:

c. Remains the same

magnitude and direction of the net electric force on:

Show your work!!!!

1. Open the simulation Coulomb’s law on the phet website.

2. Select Macro Scale tab.

3. Set charge 1 to 10 𝜇𝐶 and set charge 2 to 1𝜇𝐶. Remember 1 𝐶 = 1 × 10−6𝜇𝐶

4. Make sure force value box is checked.

are only recording the magnitude of that force.

7. Repeat the process for the rest of the values.

Value of 𝑞1=10uC 𝑞2= 1uC

r (cm) r (m) F (N) 1

0.1 8.988 100

0.08 14.043 156.25

0.06 24.965 277.78

0.04 56.172 625

0.02 224.689 2500

need to put an equation and R squared value on this graph.

equation to calculate the percentage error.

|experimental value−accepted value|

Show your work!!!!!

Spinning Nano fibers to improve N-95 masks https://www.youtube.com/watch?

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