If the medium between two charges is changed, will it affect the elec…

The correct answer is Option (2) → Yes, because the force depends on the medium

Coulomb’s law, \( F=q_1q_2/4\pi\varepsilon_0r^{2} \), gives the force between two charges in vacuum. When matter fills the space between them, the force is no longer fixed by the charges and their separation alone.

Option (1) No, because the distance and the magnitudes of the charges remain the same — Incorrect. The same charges at the same distance give the vacuum value of the force only in vacuum. A different medium between them changes the force.

Option (2) Yes, because the force depends on the medium — Correct. The field of the charges polarises the charged constituents of matter in the medium. These set up a field in the opposite direction, so the force between the charges becomes smaller than in vacuum.

Option (3) No, because the magnitudes of the charges still remain the same — Incorrect. The magnitudes of the charges alone do not fix the force. It also depends on their separation and on the medium between them.

NCERT (2026-27):
Coulomb’s Law – “… Coulomb’s law … gives the force between two charges q₁ and q₂ in vacuum. If the charges are placed in matter or the intervening space has matter, the situation gets complicated due to the presence of charged constituents of matter.”