Which of the following actions would increase the electric force between two positively charged particles?

Step 1: Analyze the question We need to find which action increases the electric force between two like (positive) charges.

Step 2: The concept – Coulomb's Law

F = kq₁q₂ / r²

• F = electric force
• q₁, q₂ = magnitudes of the charges
• r = distance between the charges
• k = Coulomb's constant (a fixed value)

From the formula, the force depends on the charges and the distance. It does not depend on the mass of the particles. Also, force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, so a smaller distance gives a larger force.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Decreasing the mass: Mass does not appear in Coulomb's law, so there is no effect on the electric force. ❌
• B. Decreasing the distance: Since F ∝ 1/r², reducing r makes F larger. For example, halving the distance makes the force 4 times bigger. ✅
• C. Increasing the "assistance" (distance) between the particles: This is clearly a typo for "distance". Increasing r reduces the force. ❌
• D. Increasing the mass: Again, mass has no role in Coulomb's law. ❌

Step 4: Answer The correct option is B. Decreasing the distance between the particles.

Tip: Remember "Close = Strong." For electric (and gravitational) forces, bringing objects closer increases the force by the inverse square of the distance. Mass only matters for gravitational force, not electric force. In WASSCE, whenever you see mass offered as an option in a Coulomb's law question, it is almost always a distractor.