Question

I had to calculate the electric force and the gravitational force of 2 nuclei.My book says that the equation for electric force starts with -k which gives me a negative answer.That means it is a repulsive force.ok.but when I compare it with the gravitation force does the negative electric answer make it smaller because I know it is much bigger.how do I write the electrical force in my answer.with - or without?

Answer 1

@sarahmac write it as negative only it doesn't make it smaller. It just means that the force is opposite to the assumed direction. Gravity is attractive so it's positive
Electric force is repulsive hence negative so. The sum of two is negative which means the overall force between the two nuclei is repulsive

Answer 2

thankyou very much.All the other examples I have seen of the equation don`t have k with a minus sign before it so I got confused.

Answer 3

You're welcome @sarahmac