Question

how would one set up an excel spreadsheet and create a plot for electric force vs the product of the two charges.

Answer 1

Excel Spreadsheet to plot a Graph for Electric Force vs product of Charges :

let us assume two charges Q₁ and Q₂ kept in air at a distance r = 1m

we can prepare a data to draw the above said graph by using equation of Coulombs law force represented in magnitude by,

       F = K Q₁Q₂ / r² ----------------- (1)

where, F- force acting between the two charges, (N)

            Q₁ and Q₂ - chaarges, (C)

            r - distance between charges, (m)

           K = 9 x 10⁹ Nm²/ C², constant depends on

Permitivity of free space ε₀, which is ε₀ = 8.854 × 10^-12 C² N^-1 m^-2

Now, taking                                                                               

Q₁ = 1,2, 3, 4, .... 10 in C,                                     

Q₂ = 1,2, 3, 4, .... 10 in C,    for r =1m , following spreadsheet is prepared                                                 

(G meant for Giga, 1G = 10⁹ ) :From the spreadsheet data shown above, we use the charge product Q₁Q₂ on x-axis

and Force F on y -axis, when we plot a graph, a straight line showing linear relationship

between these two is obtained.