Initially, \( F = k \frac{q^2}{r^2}\). When 50% of the charge of one sphere is transferred to the other, the charges become \(0.5q\) and

\(1.5q\). The new force is \(F' = k \frac{(0.5q)(1.5q)}{r^2} = 0.75 F = \frac{3}{4}F\).

Initial force in vacuum \(F_0 = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2}\) . New force in medium \(F' = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0 K} \frac{(4q_1)(4q_2)}{(2r)^2} = \frac{16}{4K} \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2}\) . Since \(F' = F_0\), we have \(frac{4}{K} = 1\), so \(K = 4\).