Question

Determine the change in electric potential energy of a system of two charged objects when a -2.1-C charged object and a -5.0-C charged object move from an initial separation of 420 km to a final separation of 160 km

Answer 1

Change in electric potential energy ∆E = 365.72 kJ

Step-by-step explanation:

Electric potential energy can be defined mathematically as:

E = kq1q2/r ....1

k = coulomb's constant = 9.0×10^9 N m^2/C^2

q1 = charge 1 = -2.1C

q2 = charge 2 = -5.0C

∆r = change in distance between the charges

r1 = 420km = 420000m

r2 = 160km = 160000m

From equation 1

∆E = kq1q2 (1/r2 -1/r1) ......2

Substituting the given values

∆E = 9.0×10^9 × -2.1 ×-5.0(1/160000 - 1/420000)

∆E = 94.5 × 10^9 (3.87 × 10^-6) J

∆E = 365.72 × 10^3 J

∆E = 365.72 kJ