Question

Quick Fundamental Question! Does the electrical force from a charge equal zero if you go far enough away from the charge or does it always have a force? Equation: E=kq/d^2. I see that as d increase the function goes to zero.

Answer 1

We can see from this graph that this equation has asymptotic behavior as the distance increases. However, because this is a model of the actual behavior, we need to use our judgement to determine when the force is appreciably negligible. Mathematically speaking, the charge never actually reaches zero, but there has to be a point where the force is so small that it can be ignored. Other considerations need to be made as well. Take for example, if the wall of my house and I possess static charges. As I walk around, I cannot feel the force upon myself because of my relatively large mass and associated inertia compared to the small magnitude of the force. Should I consider this electromagnetic force in my analysis of the forces required to walk along a hall way? Probably not.
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=1%2Fx%5E2

Answer 2

Okay cool. I was asked a question where (x) does the force equal zero for a conducting spherical shell. It was a multiple choice question so these were the options: no x, one x, and many x's. I chose many x's because it is zero inside the shell and infinitely far from the shell. Is this correct?

Answer 3

Indeed.

Answer 4

eashmore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!