Question

Three charges are placed along x - axis at x =-a, x= 0 and x= a as shown in the figure. The potential energy of the system is

Answer 1

Explanation:

take 3 charges as q

U12+U13+U23=Utotal

Utotal=Kq^2(1/a+1/2a+1/a)

Utotal=5kq^2/2a

Answer 2

Concept:

The total work done by an external agent to transport a charge from infinity to the current configuration without incurring any acceleration is referred to as the electric potential energy of any particular charge system.

Given:

Three charges are placed at x=-a, x=0, x=a.

To Find:

We are asked to find the potential energy of the system

Solution:

By considering given data,

The potential of system is given by, $U_{total}=U_{12}+U_{23}+U_{13}$

$U_{total}=kq^{2}(\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{2a}+\frac{1}{a})$

$U_{total}=kq^{2}(\frac{2+1+2}{2a})$

$U_{total}=\frac{5kq^{2} }{2a}$

Hence the total potential energy of the system is $\frac{5kq^{2} }{2a}$

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