What is the result when two objects with opposite electrostatic charges interact?

Prepare for the FTCE Subject Area K-6 Exam with a mix of flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

When two objects with opposite electrostatic charges interact, the correct result is that they attract one another. This attraction occurs due to the fundamental properties of electric charges: positive charges are attracted to negative charges. This principle is rooted in Coulomb's law, which describes the force between two charged objects as being directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

In practical terms, when a negatively charged object is brought near a positively charged object, they tend to move toward each other, which is observable in various phenomena, such as static electricity. This attraction is a pivotal concept in understanding electrostatic interactions, as it underscores how charges behave in an electric field and form the basis for many applications in physics and engineering.

The other options—repulsion, having no effect, or exploding—are based on different principles of charge interaction. Opposite charges always result in attraction, while like charges would repel each other.

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