Two point charges of magnitude 4.0 μC and -4.0 μC are situated along the x-axis at x₁ = 2.0 m and x₂ = -2.0 m, respectively. What is the electric potential energy of this system of charges?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electric potential energy (U) of a system of two point charges is given by the formula U = k * (q1 * q2) / r, where k is Coulomb's constant (8.99 x 10^9 N m²/C²), q1 and q2 are the charges, and r is the distance between them. Here, q1 = 4.0 μC, q2 = -4.0 μC, and r = 4.0 m. Substituting these values, U = (8.99 x 10^9) * (4.0 x 10^-6) * (-4.0 x 10^-6) / 4.0 = -36 mJ.

Two Point Charges of Magnitude 4