Answer:
The magnitude of electrostatic force on each charge is quarter of the magnitude of initial electrostatic force. ( ¹/₄ F)
Explanation:
The electrostatic force between two charges is given by Coulomb's law;
[tex]F = \frac{kQ_1Q_2}{r^2}[/tex]
where;
Q₁ and Q₂ are the magnitude of the charges
r is the distance between the charges
k is Coulomb's constant
Since the charges are identical;
Q₁ = Q
Q₂ = Q
the electrostatic force experienced by each charge is given by;
[tex]F = \frac{kQ^2}{r^2}[/tex]
When each of the spheres has lost half of its initial charge;
Q₁ = Q/2
Q₂ = Q/2
[tex]F_2 = \frac{k(Q/2)(Q/2)}{r^2}\\\\ F_2 = \frac{k(Q)(Q)}{4r^2}\\\\F_2 = \frac{1}{4} (\frac{kQ^2}{r^2} )\\\\F_2 = \frac{1}{4} (F)[/tex]
Therefore, the magnitude of electrostatic force on each charge is quarter of the magnitude of initial electrostatic force.
