Four charged particles are at rest at the corners of a square (Fig. P26.14). The

Question

Four charged particles are at rest at the corners of a square (Fig. P26.14). The net charges are   q 1     5     q 2     5     2 2.65   m C and   q 3     5     q 4     5     2 5.15   m C. The distance between particle 1 and particle 3 is   r   13     5     1.75 cm.   a.     N   What is the electric potential energy of the four-particle system?   b.     C   If the particles are released from rest, what will happen to the system? In particular, what will happen to the system’s kinetic energy as their separations become infinite?
Copyright | CENGAGE Learning | Physics for Scientists and Engineers | Edition 1 | dallasmavs4114@yahoo.com | Printed from www.chegg.com

Explanation / Answer

q1=q2 =2.65 uC, , q3 =q4 = -5.15 uC

r24 = r13 = 1.75 cm

r34 =r41=r12 =r23 = 1.75/2^1/2 = 1.24 cm

electirc potential energy U = kq1q2/r

k =9*10^9 N.m^2/C^2

Total potential energy U = U12+U23+U34+U41+U24+U13

U = (9*10^9*2.65*2.65*10^-12/0.0124)+ (9*10^9*5.15*5.15*10^-12/0.0124) -(2*9*10^9*5.15*2.65*10^-12/0.0124) - (2*9*10^9*5.15*2.65*10^-12/0.0175)

U = -9.5 J

(b) System potential energy is negative. If charges are relased from rest , the distance between them is increased.

If the distance between them is infinity then potential energy will be zero .So kinetic energy becomes maximum

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse F
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.