To solve this problem we will apply the expression of force given in Coulomb's law. There we will divide each of the charges by two and obtain the final value of the force. This will allow us to conclude the correct answer.
[tex]F= \frac{k q_1 q_2}{r^2}[/tex]
Here,
k = Coulomb's constant
[tex]q_{1,2}[/tex] = Each charge
r = Distance between them
So when the charge on each is halved
[tex]F= \frac{k (q_1/2) (q_2/2)}{r^2}[/tex]
[tex]F =\frac{1}{4} \frac{k q_1 q_2}{r^2}[/tex]
Force becomes one quarter of the original force.
Therefore the correct answer is D . Quartered
