What is the formula for electrostatic force?

Prepare for the TExES Science 7-12 Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The formula for electrostatic force is derived from Coulomb's law, which describes the interaction between two charged objects. The formula is ( F = k \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2} ), where ( F ) is the electrostatic force, ( k ) is Coulomb's constant, ( q_1 ) and ( q_2 ) are the magnitudes of the charges, and ( r ) is the distance between the centers of the two charges.

This equation reveals how the force increases with the product of the charges and decreases with the square of the distance between them. This demonstrates the inverse square law relationship that characterizes many fundamental forces, including gravitational force, though they are represented by different constants (G for gravity and k for electrostatics).

The other provided options illustrate concepts that are related to physics, but they do not pertain to electrostatic force. The gravitational force formula involves masses and the gravitational constant, while the other two choices relate to electric field intensity and electric potential, which are different concepts from electrostatic forces.

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