Objects charged with the same type of charge will push each other away. This is referred to as:

Objects charged with the same type of charge will push each other away. This is referred to as:

• A. Attraction
• B. Induction
• C. Repulsion
• D. Conduction

Answer: (C)

Like charges repel. When two objects carry the same type of electric charge, the electrostatic force between them pushes them apart. This repulsive effect comes from Coulomb’s law: the force grows with the product of the charges and diminishes with distance; with the same sign, the product is positive, so the force points away from each other. Opposite charges attract, which is a different behavior. Induction is polarization of a neutral object by a nearby charge, and conduction is transfer of charge through contact. Since the statement describes pushing apart, the term that fits is repulsion.

Like charges repel. When two objects carry the same type of electric charge, the electrostatic force between them pushes them apart. This repulsive effect comes from Coulomb’s law: the force grows with the product of the charges and diminishes with distance; with the same sign, the product is positive, so the force points away from each other. Opposite charges attract, which is a different behavior. Induction is polarization of a neutral object by a nearby charge, and conduction is transfer of charge through contact. Since the statement describes pushing apart, the term that fits is repulsion.