Answer :
Answer:
The new electrostatic force will be half the initial force.
Explanation:
Let is call the charges of the two objects [tex]Q_1[/tex] and [tex]Q_2[/tex], if the separation between them is [tex]R[/tex], then the electrostatic force [tex]F[/tex] between them will be
[tex]F = k\dfrac{Q_1Q_2}{R^2},[/tex]
where [tex]k[/tex] is the coulomb's constant.
If let's say the charge [tex]Q_1[/tex] is halved, then it becomes [tex]Q_1/2[/tex]. The electrostatic force then becomes
[tex]F_{new} = k\dfrac{(Q_1/2)Q_2}{R^2} = k\dfrac{Q_1Q_2}{2R^2},[/tex]
[tex]\boxed{F_{new} =\dfrac{F}{2}.}[/tex]
Thus, the new electrostatic force will be half the initial force.