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Electric force

Calculate the electric force between the muon and the proton in the muonic hydrogen atom


In the mark scheme, they used the formula F = kQ1Q2/r2

but they used +1.6x10-19 for both Q1 and Q2? Due to this, they got a positive answer for the electric force between them. Why are they using a positive value for the charge of the muon rather than negative?
Original post by GPODT
In the mark scheme, they used the formula F = kQ1Q2/r2

but they used +1.6x10-19 for both Q1 and Q2? Due to this, they got a positive answer for the electric force between them. Why are they using a positive value for the charge of the muon rather than negative?

Coulombs law.

Makes no difference to the magnitude of the force although the sign convention will determine if the force is one of attraction or repulsion.

Sounds like an omission in the mark scheme.
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GPODT
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Original post by uberteknik
Coulombs law.

Makes no difference to the magnitude of the force although the sign convention will determine if the force is one of attraction or repulsion.

Sounds like an omission in the mark scheme.


Upon looking at it a second time, they did have a '' (-) '' before the force. So I am assuming you don't have to include the negative sign but you can if you choose to.

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