UNIT 16 : ELECTROSTATICS (4 hours) 16.1 Coulomb’s Law 16.2 Electric Field 16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field 16.4 Electric Potential Electrostatics - the study of electric | charges at rest, the forces between them and the electric fields associated with them.SUBTOPIC : 16.1 Coulomb’s Law (1 hour) LEARNING OUTCOMES : At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to : a) State Coulomb's law, F = 04 ge kOq 4ne,r r b) Sketch the force diagram and apply Coulomb’s law for a system of point charges.16.1 Coulomb’s Law | * Coulomb’s law states that the force,F between two point charges q, and q, is directly proportional to the product of their magnitudes and inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating them, r. 1 Feqg Fo * In equation form : “ electrostatic force Coulomb’s law equation attractive force repulsive force * Unit : N(Newton) + Vector quantity 3[kage | 16.1 Coulomb’s Law F--t#2 = [Lr | van 4789 E :permittivi ty of free space (called proportion ality constant (vacuum or air) or Coulomb’ s constant) (é) =8.85x10'? C2N 1m?) k=9.0x10°Nm?C? @ Fo Fay 6 Fig & & Foy ip r—— i attractive force repulsive force F, : the force on charge q, due to charge q). F,, : the force on charge g, due to charge q,.Fj, = force on 1 F 51 = force on 2 due to 2 Fo—@ on @) Fo or Fa 1 (b) $ Fio “2 (c) Example of force diagram16.1 Coulomb's Law \Gradient, M=kqq, oe . 1 0 r 0 r Graphs above show the variation of electrostatic force with the distance between two charges. Note: +The sign of the charge can be ignored when substituting into the Coulomb’s law equation. * The sign of the charges is important in distinguishing the; direction of the electric force. — 6Example 16.1 16.1 Coulomb's Law Two point charges, g,=-20 nC and g,=90 nC, are separated by a distance of 4.0 cm as shown in figure below. 1@ @a +——— 4.0 cm—_— Find the magnitude and direction of a) the electric force on q, due to q>. b) the electric force on g, due to q;. c) the electric force on each charge. (Given Coulomb's constant, k = 9.0 x 109 N m? C?)16.1 Coulomb's Law Solution 16.1 q)= 2.0 x 10°C, g= 9.0 x 10°C, r= 4.0 x 102m F, F, 12 12 21 h ' 4.0cm a) b)16.1 Coulomb's Law Example 16.2 Three point charges lie along the x-axis as shown in figure below. =2C @=4C =6C "'@ @ *S —3.0cm 5.0cem i Calculate the magnitude and direction of the net electric force exerted on q>. (Given Coulomb's constant, k = 9.0 x 109 N m? C*)16.1 Coulomb's Law Solution 16.2 rz)= 3.0 x 10? m, r,;= 5.0 x 107m qe20 %=4C Fy, *e- oe e—, +—3.0 cm—+——— 5.0 cm ——+;Example 16.3 16.1 Coulomb's Law Figure below shows the three point charges are placed in the shape of triangular. @ 43 Ns - Tr, ci Pa Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant electric force exerted on q,. Given q,=-1.2 uC, g,=+3.7 WC, g3=-2.3 WC, rj.=15 cm, r)3=10 cm, 0 =32° and k = 9.0 x 109 N m? C2.16.1 Coulomb's Law Solution 16.3 q)= 1.2x10° C, qo= 3.7x10° C, g;= 2.3x10% C, r= 15x10? m, r,;= 10x10? m 2 lf eet fat RAE |Fn|=1.78N ii |= ats SFix =|Fial+{Fisle0s 58° = 3.09 N ly dF, =0-fF;,[sin58° =-2.10N |Fis|=2.48N | _ ~ A|-Won yr) n= So 0 =-34.2° 2 Ix16.1 Coulomb's LawExercise 16.1 Coulomb’s Law 1. Two point charges of -1.0 x 10 ©C and +2.0x 10 *C are separated by a distance of 0.30 m. What is the electrostatics force on each particle ? (0.20 N , directed to one another) 2. Calculate the net electrostatics force on charge i)ar li)a ili)as; g 5.0 a2 qy=234C (28.7N,tothelett, @ @ @ 116.25 Ntothe right, i—4.0cm +— 2.0 cm—+ 87.55 N to the right) 3. Calculate the net electrostatics force on charge q,. q =SuC qn =2uC 3m (4.11 x103N , 18.4 ° below the x-axis) ds = 3uC "16.1 Coulomb's Law 4. What is the electrostatics force on charge q;? 5. Four identical point charges (q = +10.0 uC) are located on the corners of a rectangle as shown in figure below. The dimension of the rectangle q @ are | = 60.0 cm and w = 15.0 ; cm. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant electric force exerted on the charge at the lower left corner q@-~- a by the other three charges. (40.9 N at 263°)SUBTOPIC : 16.2 Electric field (1 hour) LEARNING OUTCOMES : At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to : a) Define electric field. _ b) Define and use electric field strength, E = F : c) Sketch the electric field lines of isolated point charge, two charges and uniformly charged parallel plates. d) Sketch the electric field strength diagram and determine electric field strength for a system of charges. 616.2 Electric field Definition of electric field : r of space around isolated charge ' is experienced if | placed in the region. | : where an.. + Electric field around charges can be represented by drawing a series of lines. These lines are called electric field lines (lines of force). ‘The direction of electric field is tangent to the electric field line at each point.16.2 Electric field | + Figures below show the electric field patterns around the charge. "Field direction sy, a. Single positive charge b. Single negative charge the lines point radially io the lines point radially from the charge | . toward the charge16.2 Electric field | c. Two equal point charges of opposite sign, +g and -g d. Two equal positive charges. +g and + g the lines are curved and | | they are directed from the | positive charge tothe — negative charge. point X is neutral point ) Is defined as a point ms 4X (region) where the i resultant electric force is zero. It lies along the vertical dash line. 42,e. Two opposite unequal charges, +2g and -q | 16.2 Electric field Field\direction . + note that twice as many lines ee. leave +2q as there are lines ap v entering -q. + number of lines is proportional to magnitude of charge. f. Two opposite charged parallel metal plates o The electric field lines are perpendicular to the surface of the metal plates. o The lines go directly from positive plate to the negative plate. © The field lines are parallel and equally spaced in the central region.Thus, in the central region, the electric field has the same magnitude at all points (uniform) {except near the edges. - eanenternneen tb teeones o16.2 Electric field The properties of electric field lines: +The field lines indicate the direction of the electric field (the field points in the direction .... ..to the field line at any point). *The lines are drawn so that the magnitude of electric field is proportional to the number of lines crossing unit area perpendicular to the lines. The closer the lines, the the field. *Electric field lines start On ..........::00ee charges and @Nd ON .......cseseeeeeee charges, and the number starting or ending is proportional to the magnitude of the charge. *The field lines never ...........+. because the electric field does not have two values at the same point. 24* 7 16.2 Electric field Electric field strength * The electric field strength at a point is defined as the electric force (electrostatic) per unit positive test charge that acts at that point in the same direction as the force. where E : magnitude of the electric field strength F : magnitude of the electric force q, “Magnitude of test charge * It is a vector quantity. + The units of electric field strength is N C1 or Vm". * The direction of the electric field strength, E depends on the sign of isolated charge. 221 Electric field q r : “tive i : kad A positive isolated point charge. "2 thus E=|— do — == E q(+ve) r—— i Inthe calculationof di magnitude E£, substitute r: distance between the the MAGNITUDE of the point andisolated point charge | charge only. i Anegativeisolated pointcharge. == 8 &16.2 Electric field Example 16.5 2.0cm @ i 4, = 5.0nC Calculate the electric field strength at point A, 2.0 cm from a point charge gq. (Given Coulomb's constant, k = 9.0 x 109 N m? C?) Solution 2416.2 Electric field Example 16.6 2.0cm @ ; 4, = 5.0nC Calculate the electric field strength at point A, 2.0 cm from a point charge gq. Solution 25Example 16.6 16.2 Electric field % @ a On 2.0 em—-—3,0 em —* Two point charges, q,;=1.0 C and qz.=-4.0 C, are placed 2.0 cm and 3.0 cm from the point A respectively as shown in figure above. Find a) the magnitude and direction of the electric field intensity at point A. b) the resultant electric force exerted on q,=4.0 C if it is placed at point A. (Given Coulomb's constant, k = 9.0 x 10° N m? C*?) 2616.2 Electric field 2 1@ i" @s 2.0 cem—+—3.0 cm — Solution 16.6 a) The electric field strength at point A due to the charges is given by 2716.2 Electric field 1@ 4 @2 2.0 cm——3.0 em —+ Solution 16.6 b) 28Example 16.7 16.2 Electric field % © a On 2.0 em—-—3,0 em —* Two point charges, q,=-1.0 C and q.=-4.0 C, are placed 2.0 cm and 3.0 cm from the point A respectively as shown in figure above. Find a) the magnitude and direction of the electric field intensity at point A. b) the resultant electric force exerted on q,=4.0 C if it is placed at point A. (Given Coulomb's constant, k = 9.0 x 10° N m? C*?) 2916.2 Electric field Solution 16.7 1@ 1 F,.@ +2.0 em——3.0 em —* a) 9 _ ka, _.0x10°1.0) 93 4918 yt ai=73 aye a (2.010) Direction : to the left (q,) ts (9.0x10°V(4.0) _ 4 yg NCH E = ere (3.0x10*)* Direction : to the right (q,) The electric field strength at point A due to the charges is given by By = E,, bs Ey, |E,|=-2.3x10" +4.0x10" |E.,| =1.7x10'? NC" Direction : to the right (q,). 16.2 Electric field Solution 16.7 Se 10 Al @n 2.0 cm——3.0 em —+ b) Ey= fa do Fy = GE, F,, =(4.0)(1.7x10"9) =6.8x10'° N Direction : to the right (q,) 3116.2 Electric field Example 16.8 4, =8.00uC @) @q, =-5.00uC 4, =~4.00uC ®) *A Three charges are placed on three corners of a square, as shown above. Each side of the square is 30.0 cm. Calculate the electric field strength at point A. What would be the force on a 6.00 tC charge placed at the point A? 32~ 16.2 Electric field Solution16.8 4, = 8.0010 @ "Qa, = 5.006 t . 30.0 cm te, 30.00m 424om™ =-4.00.c @-——~ q3 Lu oe En A Egy 9 6 = EO one! wie r; (42.4x10%) kq, _ (9.0x10°)(5.00x10°*) 5 NC Bi, le es) Le poie NS ae (30.0x102)? * 9 6 Bg = Hts = OAT NA00%IO) _gooxto?NC* ag fe (30.0x10°*)?7 : Solution 16.8 | 16.2 Electric field | 4, = 8.0006 QS Qq, =-5.00nC Ey, =4.00x10° NC" E,, =5.00x10° NC E43 = 4.00%10° NC" 30.0cm | 42.4m* g, = 4.0026 Eas Ea 5 at —- 5 = AT AO'NC E =2.46x10° NIC E ; tan0= > AY DE aw AX @ =61.7° 4 D Ey = Ego — Eq, 8in 45” = 2.17x10°N/CExercise [16.2 Electric field | Determine a) the electric field strength at a point X at a distance 20 cm froma point charge Q = + 6uC. (1.4 x 10 6 N/C) b) the electric force that acts on a point charge g= -0.20 uC placed at point X. (0.28 N towards Q) 1@ x OLe '+20em—* +20 cm— Two point charges, q,= +2.0 C and qp= -3.0 C, are separeted by a distance of 40 cm, as shown in figure above. Determine a) The resultant electric field strength at point X. (1.13 x 103 KN C* towards q,) b) The electric force that acts on a point charge g = 0.50 uC placed at X. (0.57 N) 35Exercise [16.2 Electric fel 3. Find the magnitude of the electric field at point P due to the four point charges as shown in the figure below if q=1 nC and d=1 cm. (Given ¢=8.85 x 10°? C? N! nm) i 124 (HRW. pg. 540.11) +5.09g a +3.09 d. d Ans. : zero. B ‘d. +5.09 +q -2.0q ‘e — 4. Find the magnitude and direction of the electric field at the centre of the square in figure below if a a q=1.0x10° C and a= 5cm. (Given &=8.85 x 10°? C2 Nt nm?) (HRW. pg. 540.13) a Ans. : 1.02x105 N C+, upwards. -q +2.0936SUBTOPIC : 16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field (1 hour) LEARNING OUTCOMES : At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to : a) Explain quantitatively with the aid of a diagram the motion of a charge in a uniform electric field. Cases : 1. stationary charge 2. charge moving perpendicularly to the field 3. charge moving parallel to the field 4. charge in dynamic equilibrium 3716.3 Charge in a uniform electric field | Case 1: Stationary charge Case 4: Charge in dynamic equilibrium (moves in straight line, consider the weigh, W of the particle) v,,constant, a=0 Figure a : Case 1 Figure b : Case 4 * Figure a and Figure b show a particle with positive charge q is held stationary and moves at constant speed respectively, in a uniform electric field, F . + The forces acted on the particle are electrostatic force (upwards) and weight (downwards). + For the particle in static equilibrium (Figure a) and dynamic equilibrium : moves horizontally in straight line (Figure b), electrostatic force = weight Fe W 38 qe =mg16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field Case 2: Charge moving perpendicularly to the field Figure above shows the path of an electron q, which enters the uniform electric field between two parallel metal plates with a velocity v, . + When the electron enters the electric field , E the only force that acts on the electron is electrostatic force , F,=gE. 3916.3 Charge in a uniform electric field + This causes the electron of mass m to accelerate downwards with an acceleration a. = WE > m * Since the horizontal component of the velocity of the electron remains unchanged as v,_ the path of the electron in the uniform electric field is a parabola. * The time taken for the electron to tranverse the electric field is given by From R=S, =v,t 4016.3 Charge in a uniform electric field * The vertical component of the velocity v,, when the electron emerges from the electric field is given by v, =u, t+ayt reels) + After emerging from the electric field, the electron travels with constant velocity v, where 416.3 Charge in a uniform electric field * The direction of the velocity v is at an angle 4216.3 Charge in a uniform electric field Example 16.9 + u,= 1.5 x 10’m/s ——> 20mm (ee 60 mm An electron travelling at speed of 1.5 x 107 m/s enters the space between two parallel metal plates 60 mm long. The electric field between the plates is 4.0 x 10° V/m. a) Sketch the path of the electron in between plates, and after emerging from the space between the plates. b) Find the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of the electron in between the plates. c) Calculate the vertical and horizontal components of the electron velocity when it emerges from the space between the plates. d) Find the angle of deflection of the electron beam. 4316.3 Charge in a uniform electric field Solution 16.9 eee + u, = 1.5 x 10’m/s ——> 20mm SSE. 60 mm a) DIY b) 4416.3 Charge in a uniform electric field Solution 16.9 Time taken for electron to travel through the space between the plates is Vertical component of velocity, Horizontal component of velocity, d) Angle of deflection, 4516.3 Charge in a uniform electric field Case 3: Charge moving parallel to the field Consider 2 cases as shown in figure 1 and figure 2 Figure 2 4616.3 Charge in a uniform electric field Figure 1 + A particle with positive charge g moves with initial velocity v, towards negative plate (upwards). + For a positive charge, its acceleration a is in the direction of the electric field is given by * Since the direction of electric force is upward (same direction and parallel to the direction of motion of particle), the particle is then accelerated in straight line towards negative plate with speed v, where v > v,. 4716.3 Charge in a uniform electric field * The velocity v of the particle after time tis given by v=v, +at, E v=ni(t m + The displacement s after time ris given by s= v,t{+—at’, 2 ar s=v,t+|—=— ft 2m + The displacement s in terms of velocity v is given by yo vy. +2as, 2 2 Bie ar ee _ Ya 2a { gE ] ‘s m16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field Figure 2 «Aparticle with negative charge q moves with initial velocity v, towards positive plate (downwards). ¢ For a negative charge, its acceleration is in the direction opposite the electric field is given by qE m + Since the direction of electric force is downwards, (same direction and parallel to the direction of motion of particle), the particle is then accelerated in straight line towards positive plate with speed v, where v > v, 4916.3 Charge in a uniform electric field * The velocity v of the particle after time tis given by v=v,+at, E fay -(=} m + The displacement s after time ris given by s= v,t+—al’, 2 s=-v,t -(3 ae 2m + The displacement s in terms of velocity v is given by vi =v, —2as, ; prey v, —v Vv, —V 2a { gE | «3 m16.3 Charge in a uniform electric field Example 16.10 A pair of flat parallel metal plates A and B, are separated by 1.0 cm and the electric field strength that exists between the plates is 1.0 kV m. An electron emerges from plate A at a speed 5.0 x 10® ms? and moves towards B in a linear path which is perpendicular to B. Determine a) the acceleration of the electron b) the speed of the electron when it reaches B c) the time taken by the electron to travel to B. 5116.3 Charge in a uniform electric field Solution 16.10 s=1.0x10%m, v, =5.0x 108ms*, q=1.6x 10 “8C, m, = 9.11 x 10 31kg 5216.3 Charge in a uniform electric field Example 16.11 An electron is released from rest and allowed to accelerate in a straight line in a uniform electric field of strength 3.0 kV mt. Determine a) its acceleration b) its speed after 3.0 s. Solution q=16x108C, m, = 9.11 x 10 3'kg 532 SUBTOPIC : 16.4 Electric Potential (1 hour) LEARNING OUTCOMES : At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to : Define electric potential. Define and sketch equipotential lines and surfaces of i) anisolated charge , ii) a uniform electric field Use V=k=_ fora point charge and a system of charges. Calculate potential difference between two points. Van =V, Vp W, Use E =i for uniform E. Van a, Deduce the change in potential energy,AU between two points in electric field. AU =qAV Calculate potential energy of a system of point charges. u =4{ Mt ts) sa Fo Ns es16.4 Electric Potential * The electric potential V at a point in an electric field is the eens done to bring a unit positive charge from infinity to that point. (energy required to bring 1 C of positive charge from infinity to that point) The electric potential at infinity is considered zero. (V,, =0) + Scalar quantity. + Its unit is volt (V) or J/C. + Its formula is v-K2 55| 16.4 Electric Potential Case A Case B Q Q @ oA © oA r r The electric potential at The electric potential at point A at distance r from point A at distance r from a positive point charge Q a negative point charge Q is is 7, <4 29) vy, <4 2) r r v,=42 v,=-42 r r 56| 16.4 Electric Potential Case A a - -y Q weet Nt Far Fe 7A NEN ey e@ ~.8Gea ° , +4, r=0 The electric potential V at a point in an electric field is the work done to bring a.unit positive charge from infinity to that point. dW =F.,.dr dW =-F,dr but F, = #24 r dW =("'-F,dr (caw “ton F O-€ Va oT Ww =-k0q, | r“dr q° W =-kOq,|— "| W=k 24, 57 Fie 16.4 Electric Potential Case B - -) Q one! \ fo Fy @ “A Vy NLL +0.050 m= 2 Find a) the electric potential at point A, b) the electric potential at point B, c) the work done by the electric field on a charge of 2.5 nC that travels from point B to point A. 86:16.4 Electric Potential Solution 16.18 B q;=+2.40 nC , qo=-6.50 nC 4 0.080 m on m A . @ 410.050 m>+0.050 m= #2 a) Vi =Vai tVae Cc) Wy, =-aV,-V,) b) V, =Vp,+V po 6716.4 Electric Potential | Example 16.19 a) What is the electric potential at the point i) 10 cm and ii) 50 cm from a point charge of 2 uC ? b) Find the work done to move a charge of 0.05 uC from a point 50 cm from the point charge 2 uC to a point 10 cm from the point charge. State whether the work done by or on the electric field. _kq _(9.0x10°)(2x10*) = =1.8x10° V a) Vitoem) (10x10) 8x10 9 6 aay =hd = BOAO HEX1O) _ 96.46 y (50x10) b) |Wesocm-stoem ,=-49 (Vsocm —Vsoem ) =-0.05x10° (1.8x10° -3.6x10*) = ~7.2%102J Work done on the electric field.Exercise 16.4 Electric Potential What is the electric potential 11.0 cm from a 4.25 uC point charge ? (3.47 x 105 V) What is the electric potential 2.0 x 10 19m from a proton (charge +e) ? (7.2 V) The electric potential and the electric field strength at a point in an electric field produced by a point charge Q are + 500 V and 150 V/m respectively. Determine a) the distance of the point from the point charge (3.33 m) b) the charge Q. (1.85 x 10 7C) A negative point charge of 0.75 mC travelling from point X to point Y in an electric field, experiences a pd drop of 200 V. a) Determine the potential at point Y if a potential of +20 V exists at point X. (+220 V) b) Determine the work done in this charge transfer. Is the work done on or by the field ? (-0.15 J, work done on the field) Arectangle ABCD has length AB = 4.0 m and breadth AD = 3.0 m. Point charges Q, = + 0.08uC and Q, = - 0.03 UC are placed at A and C respectively. Determine a) the electric potential Vg-Vp across B and D (-72.8 V) b) the work required in moving a point charge q = =0.50 LC from D to B? (436.4 J)16.4 Electric Potential Relation Between V and E + The relationship between electric field intensity E ata point in a uniform electric field and electric potential V is given by E (uniform) Vv © Unit ; Vm" * Vector quantity : directed towards negative plate ”16.4 Electric Potential Example 16.20 : Two parallel plates are charged to a voltage of 50 V. If the separation between the plates is 0.050 m, calculate the electric field strength between them. Exercise 1. How strong is the electric field between twp parallel plates 5.0 mm apart if the potential difference between them is 110 V ? (22 kV m™) An electric field of 800 V/m is desired between two parallel plates 6.0 cm apart. How large a voltage should be applied ? (48 V) 3. The electric field between two parallel plates connected to a #4 45-V battery is 600 V/m. How far apart are the plates ? (75 mm) 2.16.4 Electric Potential Equipotential Lines and Surfaces * The electric potential can be represented graphically by drawing equipotential lines or in three dimensions, SQUIBOEHTIA 5s xcccerssceserecesces + An equipotential surface is a surface on which all points are at the same este work is done when a charge moves from one point on an equipotential surface to another point on the same surface (because the potential difference is zero) + An equipotential surface must be .. w- tothe electric field at any point. 7216.4 Electric Potential i) An isolated charge ¥, =V 0, Waa =—WV an =-UV, Vp) The dashed lines represent the equipotential surface (line). 7316.4 Electric Potential ii) A uniform electric field V, =V, #Vo Waa =—WVap =—dV, —Vpy) W,, =0 The dashed lines represent the equipotential surface (line). 74; ' [16.4 Electric Potential | Electric Potential Energy, U + The electric potential energy U of a charge gq at a point in an electric field is given by [7 * Scalar quantity. + Its unit is joule (J). * The sign of charges must be substituted in the calculation. Exercise What is the potential energy of an electron that is 0.53 x 10 19m from a proton ? (-4.35 x 10°18 J) 7516.4 Electric Potential The Change in Electric Potential Energy, AU AU =U 4, =U,-U, =49V,-4V, The difference between two electric potential energy v The difference between electric potential energy at point A and electric potential energy at point B 76Example 16.21 eee a) What is the electric potential energy of a charge 0.05uC at the point i) 10 cm and ii) 50 cm from a point charge of 2 uC ? b) Find the change in electric potential energy between i) and ii). A) Vem = 4¥ tem U stem = Vm) =gk2 = ie q r b) jAu= U soem-+500m) U, (40cm) (50cm) 71 Electric Potential Electrical Potential Energy of A System of Point Charges * Consider a system with three point charges, g, , g. and q;. «The potential energy of the system is given by U =U,, +U,, +U 5, [The electric potential | u =e[ file 4s Me energy of the system of he Nas Ms charges is the work done to move all the _2® charges from infinity to the att T23 : points where the charges Be. rp are placed. Tp =y_d © 41 + The sign for the charge (+ or -) must be substituted in the calculation.16.4 Electric Potential Example 16.22 Q) #2 = IHC Calculate the potential energy for the system of charges shown above. U =U, +U,, +U2, U= U= U=-22.5d 794 16.4 Electric Potential Exercise 1. A point charge Q = +9.10 pC is held fixed at the origin. A second point charge with a charge of q = -0.420 uC is placed on the x -axis, 0.960 m from the origin. Calculate the electric potential energy of the pair of charges. (-3.58 x 10° J) 2. 4200 pC -100 pC . n - « A D Cc B 200m 60 cm > <30 om In figure above, the charge at Ais +200 pC, while the charge at B is -100 pC. a) Calculate the electric potentials at points C and D. (-2.25 V, +7.88 V) b) Ifa charge of +500 pC is placed at points C and D, calculate the electric potential at points C and D. (- 1.13 x 103d, 3.94 x 10° J) c) The change in potential energy between points C and D. (-5.07 mJ) 804 16.4 Electric Potential Exercise . Apoint charge q, = +2.00 nC is placed at the origin and a second point charge qp = -3.00 nC is placed on the x -axis, at x = +20.0 cm. A third point charge q; = 5.00 nC is to be placed on the x -axis between q, and qo. a) What is the electric potential energy of the system of the three charges if Q is placed at x = +10.0 cm ? (-7.20 x 10 -7 J) b) Where should q, be placed to make the potential energy of the system equal to zero? (6.91 cm) . Three equal point charges q = 8.40 x 10°77 C are placed at the corner of an equilateral triangle whose side is 1.00 m. What is the potential energy of the system? ( 19.1 mJ) 81