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Three charges are located in the $x-y$ plane (see plot below), with $Q_1 = -6.00 μC$, $Q_2 = 2.00 μC$ and $Q_3 = 3.00 μC$. Note that the charges are located at grid intersections points.

Calculate the work required (by external forces) to transport $Q_3$ from its location on the figure to infinity.

Image of Graph

User90
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Bailey
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1 Answers1

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Hint: Use the conservation of energy. Compute the potential energy of the system at the start and the end. The difference is the work required.

Ross Millikan
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  • I calculated the total electrostatic potential energy at the beginning to be -5.49×10-2 J. How do I go about finding the potential energy at the end since q3 is traveling to infinity? – Bailey Sep 24 '16 at 04:19
  • The potential goes as $\frac 1r$, so $q3$ has no potential energy. Just compute the potential between $q1$ and $q2$ to compare. That is the point of the exercise. – Ross Millikan Sep 24 '16 at 04:22
  • Thank you so much! That makes so much more sense. – Bailey Sep 24 '16 at 04:27