Question

What is the value of k in the CGS system?

Answer 1

In electrostatic systems or Gaussian units, the unit charge is determined so that the Coulomb constant disappears as it becomes the value of one and displays dimensionless. The force is with the straight line combining the two charges. If the charges possess the same sign, the electrostatic force is repulsive; if they have several signs, their force is attractive.

Complete step-by-step solution:
Coulomb's constant is proportionality in Coulomb's law and other electric-related formulas; it is also named the electric force constant or electrostatic constant. When the electromagnetic theory is represented in the International System of Units, force is estimated in newtons, charge in coulombs, and distance in meters.
Coulomb's inverse-square law is an experimental rule of physics that quantifies the quantity of force among two stationary, electrically charged particles. The electric force among charged bodies at a steady state is conventionally named electrostatic force or Coulomb force.
The law says that the magnitude of the electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion among two-point charges is directly proportionate to the product of the quantities of charges and inversely proportionate to the square of the length between them.
The coulomb’s constant is given by:
$k = \dfrac{1}{4 \pi \epsilon_{o}}$
The value of k in CGS system is $1$.

Note: There are three situations to be satisfied for Coulomb's inverse square law validity:
a) The charges must possess a spherically symmetric distribution.
b) The charges must not overlap.
c) The charges must be fixed concerning each other.