Question

Three equal point charges, each with charge 1.65 μC , are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle whose sides are of length 0.650 m . 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.)

Answer 1

Answer:

U = 0.113 J

Explanation:

Electrostatic potential energy of two charges at some distance is given as

$U = \frac{kq_1q_2}{r}$

since there are three charges on the vertices of the triangle

so here total potential energy is given as

$U_{net} = 3\frac{kq_1q_2}{r}$

$U_[net} = 3(\frac{(9\times 10^9)((1.65 \mu C)(1.65 \mu C)}{0.650})$

$U_{net} = 3(0.038 J)$

$U_{net} = 0.113 J$

So electrostatic total energy is 0.113 J