Question

A particle with a charge of 5.1 μC is 3.02 cm from a particle with a charge of 2.51 μC . The potential energy of this two-particle system, relative to the potential energy at infinite separation, is

Answer 1

U = 3.806 J

Step-by-step explanation:

The potential energy between the 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 = 5.1*10^-6 C

q2 = 2.51*10^-6 C

r: distance of separation between particles = 3.02cm = 3.02*10^-2 m

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

`U=(8.98*10^9Nm^2/C^2)((5.1*10^(-6)C)(2.51*10^(-6)C))/(3.02*10^(-2)m)\\\\U=3.806J`

The potential energy of the two particle system is 3.806 J