What is the electric potential energy of a system of two charges +q and -q separ
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the electric potential energy of a system of two charges +q and -q separated by a distance r?
0
kq²/r
-kq²/r
kq/r
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the electric potential energy of a system of two charges +q and -q separated by a distance r?
Step 1: Identify the two charges in the system. We have a positive charge +q and a negative charge -q.
Step 2: Understand that the electric potential energy (U) between two charges is calculated using the formula U = k(q1 * q2) / r, where k is a constant.
Step 3: Substitute the values of the charges into the formula. Here, q1 is +q and q2 is -q.
Step 4: Replace q1 and q2 in the formula: U = k(+q * -q) / r.
Step 5: Calculate the product of the charges: +q * -q = -q².
Step 6: Substitute -q² back into the formula: U = k(-q²) / r.
Step 7: Simplify the expression: U = -kq² / r.
Step 8: Conclude that the electric potential energy of the system is U = -kq² / r.
