Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry Practice Exam

What does Coulomb's Law describe?

1. The behavior of current in a circuit

2. The energy an electron possesses based on its distance from the nucleus

3. The attraction between molecules in a gas state

4. The periodic trend of atomic radii

The correct answer is: The energy an electron possesses based on its distance from the nucleus

Coulomb's Law describes the electrostatic interaction between charged particles, specifically how the force between two charges is directly proportional to the product of their magnitudes and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This fundamental principle explains how charged particles, such as electrons and nuclei, interact with one another based on distance, making it relevant to the energy an electron possesses relative to its distance from the nucleus. As an electron moves further from the positively charged nucleus, the electrostatic attraction decreases, influencing the energy levels of the electron. In the context of the other options, none accurately reflect the core principle of Coulomb’s Law. The behavior of current in a circuit relates to Ohm's Law and circuit theory, while the interaction of molecules in a gas state relates to kinetic molecular theory and intermolecular forces, not purely electrostatic interactions. The periodic trend of atomic radii pertains to atomic structure and the effect of electron shielding and nuclear charge, which are also distinct from the principles of Coulomb's Law.