Question

A storm cloud has a charge of +0.35 C. Due to polarization, the top of a tree gains a charge of -0.02 C. The cloud moves to 150 meters above the tree. Find the amount of force between the cloud and the tree and tell whether it attracts or repels.

Answer 1

Given data

*The given storm cloud has a charge is q = +0.35 C

*The tree gains a charge is Q = -0.02 C

*The distance between them is r = 150 m

*The value of the Coulomb's constant is k = 9 × 10^9 N.m^2/C^2

The formula for the amount of force between the cloud and the tree is given as

$F=\frac{kqQ}{r^2}$

Substitute the known values in the above expression as

$\begin{gathered} F=\frac{(9\times10^9)(0.35)(-0.02)}{(150)^2} \\ =-2.8\times10^3\text{ N} \end{gathered}$

Here the negative sign indicates that the charges are attractive in nature.

Hence, the amount of force between the cloud and the tree is F = -2.8 × 10^3 N