Three point charges are on the x axis: q 1 is at the origin, q 2 is at x = +2.5

Question

Three point charges are on the x axis: q1 is at the origin, q2 is at x = +2.5 m, and q3is at x = +6.7 m. Find the electrostatic potential energy of this system of charges for the following charge values. (Assume the potential energy is zero when the charges are very far from each other.)

1) (a) q1 = q2 = q3 = +3.2 µC

72 mJ

2) (b) q1 = q2 = +4.4 µC and q3 = -4.4 µC

2.2 mJ

3) (c) q1 = q3 = 3.6 µC and q2 = -3.6 µC

_______ mJ

I got the first and the seconed one correct, I still couldn't get the third one?! pleas give me the CORRECT answer.

Explanation / Answer

given,

position of charges = 0, 2.5 and 6.7 m

q1 = q3 = 3.6 µC and q2 = -3.6 µC

electric potential energy = k * q1 * q2 / r

electric potential energy due to all the charges = 9 * 10^9(3.6 * -3.6 / 2.5 + 3.6 * 3.6 / 6.7 + 3.6 * -3.6 / (6.7 - 2.5))

electric potential energy due to all the charges = -57.01847334 mJ

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