How did the iron filing patterns show attractive forces between magnetic poles?

Idon’t quite understand this problem

What is the electric force acting between two charges of -0.0045 c and -0.0025 c that are 0.0060 m apart? use fe=kq1q2/r^2 and k = 9.00 x 10^9 n*m^2/c^2 a. 1.7 x 10^7 n b. -1.7 x 10^7 n c. -2.8 x 10^9 n d. 2.8 x 10^9 n

Asolid cylinder and a cylindrical shell have the same mass, same radius, and turn on frictionless, horizontal axles. the cylindrical shell has light-weight spokes connecting the shell to the axle. a rope is wrapped around each cylinder and tied to blocks of equal masses that are held the same height above the ground. both blocks are released simultaneously. the ropes do not slip. which block hits the ground first? or is it a tie?