Question

What is the potential energy of two charges of +4.6 μC and +1.0 μC that are separated by a distance of 10.0 cm?

Answer 1

U = 0.413 J

Step-by-step explanation:

the potential energy between two charges q1 and q2 is given by the following formula:

`U=k(q_1q_2)/(r)` (1)

k: Coulomb's constant = 8.98*10^9 NM^2/C^2

q1: first charge = 4.6 μC = 4.6*10^-6 C

q2: second charge = 1.0 μC*10^-6 C

r: distance between charges = 10.0 cm = 0.10 m

You replace the values of all variables in the equation (1):

`U=(8.98*10^9Nm^2/C^2)((4.6*10^(-6)C)(1.0*10^(-6)C))/(0.10m)=0.413\ J`

Hence, the energy between charges is 0.413 J