Final answer:
In a high school physics problem, three equal point charges are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle, and we calculate the electric potential at the midpoint of one side using Coulomb's law and the properties of equilateral triangles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Physics, specifically concerning the concept of electric potential at a point due to multiple point charges. The scenario described involves three equal point charges placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle, and we are asked to calculate the electric potential at the midpoint of one of the sides.
To calculate the electric potential at the midpoint M of side AB due to the three charges, we will use the formula for the electric potential V at a point due to a point charge q, which is V = (k*q)/r, where k is Coulomb's constant (approximately 8.99 x 109 N*m2/C2), q is the charge, and r is the distance from the charge to the point in question.
Since charges A and B are at equal distances from point M, their potentials will add up. Charge C, located at the opposite corner of the triangle, will also contribute to the potential at point M.
First, we calculate the distance of charge C from M using the properties of the equilateral triangle (considering 30-60-90 triangles). The height h of the triangle (and thus the distance from charge C to M) is given by h = (sqrt(3)/2) * side = (sqrt(3)/2) * 10 cm. Next, we calculate the potential due to each charge. Since charges A and B are equidistant from M, for them, we simply use half the length of side AB as r. Then, we add up the potentials from each charge to get the total potential at M.