---
title: "Two fixed point charges separated by a distance \\(r\\) in a vacuum exert an electrostatic force of magnitude \\(F_0\\) on each other. The charges are then placed in a uniform insulating fluid with a dielectric constant \\(\\kappa = 3\\), and the distance between them is reduced to \\(\\dfrac{r}{2}\\). What is the new magnitude of the electrostatic force between the two charges?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/117880/"
date_modified: "2026-08-04T08:02:21+00:00"
---

# Two fixed point charges separated by a distance \(r\) in a vacuum exert an electrostatic force of magnitude \(F_0\) on each other. The charges are then placed in a uniform insulating fluid with a dielectric constant \(\kappa = 3\), and the distance between them is reduced to \(\dfrac{r}{2}\). What is the new magnitude of the electrostatic force between the two charges?

Two fixed point charges separated by a distance \(r\) in a vacuum exert an electrostatic force of magnitude \(F_0\) on each other. The charges are then placed in a uniform insulating fluid with a dielectric constant \(\kappa = 3\), and the distance between them is reduced to \(\dfrac{r}{2}\). What is the new magnitude of the electrostatic force between the two charges?

- **A.** \(\dfrac{3}{4} F_0\)
- **B.** \(\dfrac{4}{3} F_0\)
- **C.** \(\dfrac{3}{2} F_0\)
- **D.** \(12 F_0\)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/117880/*