NEIEP Mechanics Practice Exam

What will happen when two negative charges are placed next to each other?

1. Attract each other

2. Repel each other

3. Remain unaffected

4. Neutralize each other

The correct answer is: Repel each other

When two negative charges are placed next to each other, they will repel each other due to the nature of electric charge. According to Coulomb's Law, similar charges exert a force that pushes them apart. This repulsion occurs because both charges have an excess of electrons, which causes them to create an electric field that pushes against the other charge's electric field. The concept of electric charge is fundamental in electrostatics; like charges (both positive and negative) repel each other, while opposite charges attract. In this case, since both charges are negative, their interaction leads to a repulsive force, causing them to move away from each other. This pair of negative charges will not attract or neutralize each other, and they will not remain unaffected, as the force between them is significant enough to influence their positions.