The total potential energy stored in the system of three charges can be calculated using the formula PE = k * (q1*q2/r1 + q1*q3/r2 + q2*q3/r3). Using the given values, we can substitute them into the formula and solve for the total potential energy. The distances between the charges can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the total potential energy stored in the system of three charges, we can use the formula:
PE = k * (q1*q2/r1 + q1*q3/r2 + q2*q3/r3)
Where:
PE is the total potential energy
k is the Coulomb's constant (9 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2)
q1, q2, q3 are the charges (in Coulombs)
r1, r2, r3 are the distances between the charges (in meters)
Given that the charges are 5.00 pc, 2.00 pc, and -3.00 pc, and the side length of the equilateral triangle is 1.75 m, we can calculate the distances between the charges using the Pythagorean theorem. Assuming the charges are located at the vertices of the equilateral triangle, the distances would be: r1 = 1.75 m, r2 = r3 = 1.75 m * sqrt(3).
Substituting the values into the formula, we get:
PE = (9 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2) * (5.00 pc * 2.00 pc/1.75 m + 5.00 pc * -3.00 pc/(1.75 m * sqrt(3)) + 2.00 pc * -3.00 pc/(1.75 m * sqrt(3)))
Now we can calculate the total potential energy.