Skip to main content
Pearson+ LogoPearson+ Logo
Start typing, then use the up and down arrows to select an option from the list.

General Chemistry

Learn the toughest concepts covered in Chemistry with step-by-step video tutorials and practice problems by world-class tutors

11. Bonding & Molecular Structure

Coulomb's Law

Coulomb's Law is used to determine the forces experienced by charged particles. 

Coulomb's Law
1
concept

Coulomb's Law Concept 1

clock
1m
Play a video:
Was this helpful?
now columns law is used to determine the attractive and repulsive forces between a pair of charged particles. Now using columns. Law formula allows you to determine the potential energy between the particles. Now we're going to say that potential energy is directly proportional to the charges of the particles, meaning the larger. The charge is the largest of potential energy. But potential energy is inversely proportional to the distance between the particles. So basically, the larger the distance between the particles will lower, their potential energy will be. And what we need to realize here is that the greater the potential energy than the stronger the Ionic bond between our opposed charges will be or charged particles will be. So just remember these fundamental theoretical ideas behind Klum's law. Click on the next video and let's investigate Combs law formula.
2
concept

Coulomb's Law Concept 2

clock
1m
Play a video:
Was this helpful?
with columns. Law, We have our columns law formula where e. Which is our potential energy or force in Newtons. In physics, you would see this variable as 1/4 pi. Same vary variable with sub not but for simplicity. I'm just having it. Is that single variable here? We're going to say that it is in place off what we call the permitted constant, which is 9.0 times 10 to the nine Newtons. Times meter squared over Coolum squared Q one and Q two represent our particles one and two that are in columns or absolute charge. Our, which down here would actually be r squared equals the distance off the ion centers in meters. Not finally, just remember that the absolute charge of an ion is equal to 1.602 times 10 to the negative 19 cool apps. That would mean that if you had a charge of, let's say, plus two, that's your absolute charge. But how would you convert it to cool them? You will just multiply by that same value, and that would be 3.204 times 10 to the negative Coolio's so now that we know comes law formula. Let's move on to the next video and take a look at the example question.
Content
3
example

Coulomb's Law Example

clock
1m
Play a video:
Was this helpful?
a charge of positive 4.13 times 10 to the negative 19 columns is placed 8.3 times, 10 to the negative, 7 m, apart from another charge of negative 3.37 times 10 to the negative 17 cool apps What is the attract is the force of attraction between the charged particles. Now we know there's a form of attraction because they have opposite signs. One's positive ones negative in camp. Opposites attract. So potential energy equals are permitted ity constant, which is 9.0 times 10 to the nine Newtons Times meter squared over Coolum squared. That's gonna multiply with the two charges Q one and Q two. And then we have our we have our radius squared. When you do this, notice what's going to cancel out our meter squares. Cancel out and our Coolum squares cancel out, and we'll have our answer in Newton's, which comes out to negative 1.94 times 10 to the negative Newton's. So this would be the attraction felt between the two charged particles
4
Problem

A force of 3.24 x 10-12 N exists between a +3 charge and another charged particle. The ions are 2.53 x 10-8 m apart. What is the charge of the unknown charged particle?  (Rework numbers since you went from +15 to +3)

Divider