Three equal point charges, each with charge 1.55 ? C , are placed at the vertice

Question

Three equal point charges, each with charge 1.55?C , are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle whose sides are of length 0.500m . What is the electric potential energy U of the system? (Take as zero the potential energy of the three charges when they are infinitely far apart.) Use ?0 = 8.85 Three equal point charges, each with charge 1.55?C , are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle whose sides are of length 0.500m . What is the electric potential energy U of the system? (Take as zero the potential energy of the three charges when they are infinitely far apart.) Use ?0 = 8.85

Explanation / Answer

you bring in charges one at a time

first charge is free

second charge uses = q dV = 1.55E-6*9E9*1.55E-6/0.5=0.0432 J

third charges will feel potential from both

so 1.55E-6*9E9*2*1.55E-6/0.5=0.0864 J

so total is 0.0432+0.0864 = 0.1297 J

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