Answer:
The new Coulomb force is q₁q₂/9πε₀r²
Step-by-step explanation
The coulomb force between the two charges q₁ and q₂ at a distance r in air is given by F = q₁q₂/4πε₀r².
Now, let us assume the material of dielectric constant κ = 9 is placed between them on the side of the q₁ charge. The value of its effective charge is now q₃ = q₁/κ at a distance of d = r/2 from the q₂ charge.
Since we have air between q₂ and q₃, the coulomb force between them is
F' = q₂q₃/4πε₀d²
= q₂(q₁/κ)/4πε₀(r/2)²
= 4q₂q₁/κ4πε₀r²
= 4/κ(q₂q₁/4πε₀r²)
= 4/9 × (q₂q₁/4πε₀r²)
= q₁q₂/9πε₀r²
So, the new Coulomb force is q₁q₂/9πε₀r²