The fundamental force exerted by stationary electric charges on one another. Like charges repel and opposite charges attract, with the force scaling directly with the magnitude of the charges and inversely with the square of the distance between them. In high-voltage systems, this force can become strong enough to physically vibrate conductors or attract dust to insulators.
The electrostatic force on the ungrounded panel was strong enough to make the dust stick in distinct patterns.
Also heard as
- Coulomb force
Related terms
Coulomb's law
The physical principle describing how the electrostatic force between charges decreases with distance.
Coulomb force
The fundamental electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion between electrically charged particles.
Electric field
A region of space where an electric charge experiences a force.