1) A point charge q2 = -0.5 μC is fixed at the origin of a co-ordinate system as shown. Another point charge q1 = 0.6 μC is initially located at point P, a distance d1 = 8.9 cm from the origin along the x-axis.

Question

1) A point charge q2 = -0.5 μC is fixed at the origin of a co-ordinate system as shown. Another point charge q1 = 0.6 μC is initially located at point P, a distance d1 = 8.9 cm from the origin along the x-axis.
a. What is ΔPE, the change in potenial energy of charge q1 when it is moved from point P to point R, located a distance d2 = 3.6 cm from the origin along the x-axis as shown?
b. The charge q2 is now replaced by two charges q3 and q4 which each have a magnitude of -0.25 μC, half of that of q2. The charges are located a distance a = 2.2 cm from the origin along the y-axis as shown. What is ΔPE, the change in potential energy now if charge q1 is moved from point P to point R?
c. What is the potential energy of the system composed of the three charges q1, q3, and q4, when q1 is at point R? Define the potential energy to be zero at infinity.
d. The charge q4 is now replaced by charge q5 which has the same magnitude, but opposite sign from q4 (i.e., q5 = 0.25 μC). What is the new value for the potential energy of the system?

Bot · Answer

a. ΔPE = -2.7 x 10^-6 J b. ΔPE = -1.3 x 10^-6 J c. PE = -3.9 x 10^-6 J d. PE = -2.6 x 10^-6 J