Question

Find the amount of work done in arranging the three point charges on the vertices of an equilateral triangle

Answer 1

The total work done in arranging the three point charges on the vertices of an equilateral triangle will be 3Q²/4πε₀L

Explanation :

Let the charge of each particle = Q

Let the length of each side of the eq triangle = L

Potential energy of each pair of charges

PE₁ = Q²/4πε₀L

similarly PE of other two pairs of charges,

PE₂ = PE₃ = Q²/4πε₀L

Hence total work done in bringing these point charges together

W = PE₁ + PE₂ + PE₃

=> W = 3Q²/4πε₀L

Hence the total work done in arranging the three point charges on the vertices of an equilateral triangle will be 3Q²/4πε₀L