Question

Two point charges +10 c and -10 c are separated by a distance of 40 cm in air .Calculate the electrostatic potential energy of a system.

Answer 1

The electrostatic potential energy of a system is UE = - 2.25 x 10^12 J

Explanation:

Given data:

q1 = + 10 c

q2 = - 10 c

Distance between charges = 40 cm = 0.4 m

To find

Electrostatic potential energy  = ?

Using the formula

UE = Kq1q2 / r

Here,

UE  = electric potential energy

k = Coulomb constant  = 9.0 x 109 N • m^2 / C^2

q1, q2 = charges

UE = Kq1q2 / r

UE = 9.0 x 10^9 x + 10 x - 10 / 0.4

UE = 9.0 x 10^9 x - 100 / 0.4

UE = 9.0 x 10^9 x - 250

UE = - 2.25 x 10^12 J

Negative potential energy means that work was done against the electric field in moving the charges apart from each other.

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