Question
Three equal point charges, each with charge 1.50\mu C , are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle whose sides are of length 0.300m . 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 epsilon_0 = 8.85×10−12\frac{C^2}{N \cdot m^2} for the permittivity of free space.
how do I go about solving this problem? thank you very much for any guidance
Use epsilon_0 = 8.85×10−12\frac{C^2}{N \cdot m^2} for the permittivity of free space.
how do I go about solving this problem? thank you very much for any guidance
Answers
bobpursley
potential energy is a scalar.
Take the first charge, move it. No energy change to move it.
Then move in the second charge, energy = kqq/d.
Now move the third charge in. It is opposed by the two other charge, energy= kqq/r * 2
add the energies: 3kqq/r
check my thinking.
Take the first charge, move it. No energy change to move it.
Then move in the second charge, energy = kqq/d.
Now move the third charge in. It is opposed by the two other charge, energy= kqq/r * 2
add the energies: 3kqq/r
check my thinking.
Related Questions
How come the charges of H*2O*2 (asterisk means subscript), which is hydrogen peroxide,don't equal? T...
Three Point charges have equal magnitudes, two being positive and one negative. These charges are fi...
calculate the magnitude of electrostatic force on a charge placed at a vertex of a triangular pyrami...