Three point charges Q1=2.5 μC, Q2=4.5 μC, and Q3=-3.5 μC are...

Three point charges $Q_{1}=2.5 \mu \mathrm{C}, Q_{2}=4.5 \mu \mathrm{C},$ and $Q_{3}=-3.5 \mu \mathrm{C}$ are arranged as shown in Figure $\mathrm{P} 18.9 .$ What is the total electric potential energy of this system?

Key Concepts

Electrostatic Potential Energy

This concept refers to the energy stored in a system of charged particles due to their positions relative to one another. It is calculated by considering the work done to bring each charge from infinity to its respective position in the presence of the other charges. The total potential energy is determined by summing the individual contributions from every unique pair of charges, taking into account both the magnitude and sign of each charge as well as the distances between them.

Pairwise Interactions

In a system of multiple point charges, the total electric potential energy is computed by considering all unique pairs of charges. For each pair, the contribution is calculated using the formula derived from Coulomb’s law, where the product of the two charges is divided by the distance separating them, multiplied by a constant. This pairwise summation ensures that the mutual electrostatic interactions among all charges are accounted for correctly.

Coulomb’s Law

Coulomb’s Law is fundamental in understanding electric forces and potentials between charged particles. It quantifies the force between two static charges and forms the basis for calculating the potential energy. In the context of potential energy, Coulomb’s constant appears as a factor that scales the interaction strength between charges, making it a critical component in determining the energy stored in systems of point charges.

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