⏰ when

When was the first force between electric charges measured quantitatively?

Quick Answer

Coulomb measured it in 1785.

The Full Story

Charles-Augustin de Coulomb quantified the force between electric charges in 1785. Using a torsion balance, he showed that electric force depends on the amount of charge and decreases with distance according to what became known as Coulomb's law. This was a foundational result in electrostatics and later influenced the development of electromagnetism. The unit of electric charge, the coulomb, is named after him.

Key Facts

1.Measured in 1785
2.Used a torsion balance
3.Led to Coulomb's law

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Suggested video title for this topic:

"The experiment that put numbers on electric force."

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