coulomb's law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “coulomb's law” mean?
The physics law stating the magnitude of electrostatic force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The physics law stating the magnitude of electrostatic force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
The fundamental quantitative law of electrostatics governing the force interaction between stationary, electrically charged particles. It analogously influences the mathematical structure of other inverse-square laws in physics (e.g., gravitation).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or definition. Spelling of related terms may vary (e.g., 'metre' vs. 'meter').
Connotations
Identical technical connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency and confined to identical technical/educational contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “coulomb's law” in a Sentence
Coulomb's law states that...According to Coulomb's law, the force is...We can apply Coulomb's law to...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coulomb's law” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Coulombic interaction was strong.
- We made a Coulomb's law calculation.
American English
- The Coulombic force was strong.
- We did a Coulomb's law calculation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Core concept in university-level physics, electromagnetism, and electrical engineering courses.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Fundamental in electrical engineering, particle physics, and any field calculating electrostatic interactions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coulomb's law”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coulomb's law”
- Misspelling as 'Columb's law'.
- Forgetting the square on the distance (r) in the denominator.
- Confusing it with Ohm's law.
- Using it for moving charges without modification.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was first published by French physicist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb in 1785, based on his experiments with a torsion balance.
Yes, both are inverse-square laws where force is proportional to the product of two intrinsic properties (charge or mass) and inversely proportional to the square of the distance. A key difference is that electrostatic force can be attractive or repulsive, while gravity is only attractive.
No, Coulomb's law in its basic form is only for stationary (electrostatic) charges. Moving charges create magnetic fields, requiring more complex laws like the Lorentz force law.
'k' is Coulomb's constant or the electrostatic constant. Its value depends on the medium; in a vacuum, it is approximately 8.98755 × 10⁹ N⋅m²/C². It is often written as 1/(4πε₀), where ε₀ is the vacuum permittivity.
The physics law stating the magnitude of electrostatic force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Coulomb's law is usually technical/scientific in register.
Coulomb's law: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkuː.lɒmz ˌlɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkuː.lɑːmz ˌlɔː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Coulomb's law is like gravity for charges: double the distance, force quarters; double a charge, force doubles.
Conceptual Metaphor
ELECTRIC CHARGES ARE MAGNETIC PERSONS (attracting/repelling); FORCE IS A MATHEMATICAL BRIDGE BETWEEN ENTITIES.
Practice
Quiz
What does Coulomb's law primarily describe?