Question

What is the electric potential energy of a charge that experiences a force of 3.6 x 10^-4N when it is 9.8 x 10^-5 from the source of the electric field

Answer 1

The electric potential energy of the charge is equal to the potential at the location of the charge, V, times the charge, q:

`U=qV`
The potential is given by the magnitude of the electric field, E, times the distance, d:

`V=Ed`
So we have

`U=qEd` (1)
However, the electric field is equal to the electrical force F divided by the charge q:

`E= (F)/(q)`
Therefore (1) becomes

`U=Fd`
And if we use the data of the problem, we can calculate the electrical potential energy of the charge:

`U=Fd=(3.6 \cdot 10^(-4)N)(9.8 \cdot 10^(-5) m)=3.53 \cdot 10^(-8) J`