Three point charges are on the x axis: q1 is at the origin, q2 is at x = + 3.3 m

Question

Three point charges are on the x axis: q1 is at the origin, q2 is at x = + 3.3 m, and q3 is at x = +6.3 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.) q1 = q2 = q3 = + 3-8 mu C You currently have 0 submissions for this question. Only 10 submission are allowed. You can make 10 more submissions for this question. q1 = q2 = +3.6 mu C and q3 = -3.6 mu C You currently have 0 submissions for this question. Only 10 submission are allowed. You can make 10 more submissions for this question. q1 = q3 = 3.6 mu C and q2 = -3-6 mu C You currently have 0 submissions for this question. Only 10 submission are allowed. You can make 10 more submissions for this question.

Explanation / Answer

Electrostatic potential energy of a system of three charges q1, q2 and q3 is given by

U = (1/4o) [ q1q2/ r12 + q2q3/r23 + q1q3/r13 ]

where r12 is the distance between q1 and q2 , r23 is the distance between q2 and q3, and r13 is the distance between q1 and q3

1.) U = 9 x 109 [ 3.8 x 10-6 x 3.8 x 10-6 / 3.3 + 3.8 x 10-6 x 3.8 x 10-6 / 3 + 3.8 x 10-6 x 3.8 x 10-6 / 6.3 ]

= 0.1033303896 = 103.33 mJ

2.) U = 9 x 109 [ 3.6 x 10-6 x 3.6 x 10-6 / 3.3 + 3.6 x 10-6 x - 3.6 x 10-6 / 3 + 3.6 x 10-6 x - 3.6 x 10-6 / 6.3 ]

= - 0.02204883117 = - 22.04883117 mJ

3.) U = 9 x 109 [ 3.6 x 10-6 x - 3.6 x 10-6 / 3.3 - 3.6 x 10-6 x 3.6 x 10-6 / 3 + 3.6 x 10-6 x 3.6 x 10-6 / 6.3 ]

= - 0.05571116883 = - 55.71116883 mJ

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