Two Identical Small Charged Spheres Are a Certain Distance Apart $F$

question 71

Multiple Choice

Two identical small charged spheres are a certain distance apart, and each one initially experiences an electrostatic force of magnitude $F$ due to the other. With time, charge gradually diminishes on both spheres by leaking off. When each of the spheres has lost half its initial charge, what will be the magnitude of the electrostatic force on each one?

• A) \(1 / 4 F\)
• B) \(1 / \sqrt { 2 } F\)
• C) \(1 / 16 \mathrm {~F}\)
• D) \(1 / 8 \mathrm {~F}\)
• E) \(1 / 2 \mathrm {~F}\)