A charge of -6 C is at the origin. How much energy would be applied to or released from a 9 C charge if it is moved from (5 ,-2 ) to (2 ,-1 ) ?

2 Answers
Jan 13, 2018

(127.09)*(10^9) Joule amount of energy has to be taken out from the charge.

Explanation:

Initial potential energy of the charge is,
Ei = (9*10^9)*{(-6)*9}/(√29) [r=distance between them = √{(5)^2+(-2)^2}]
And final potential energy=
Ef = (9*10^9)*{(-6)*9}/(√5) [r1=distance between them =√{(2)^2+(-1)^2}
Hence change in energy =
Ef-Ei
= (9*10^9){(-6)*9}{1/(√5)-1/(√29)}

Or,-(127.09)*(10^9) Joule
Negative sign means energy has to be taken out from the charge

Jan 13, 2018

The energy applied is =127.1*10^9J

Explanation:

The potential energy is

U=k(q_1q_2)/r

The charge q_1=-6C

The charge q_2=9C

The Coulomb's constant is k=9*10^9Nm^2C^-2

The distance

r_1=sqrt((5)^2+(-2)^2)=sqrt(29)m

The distance

r_2=sqrt((2)^2+(1)^2)=sqrt(5)

Therefore,

U_1=k(q_1q_2)/r_1

U_2=k(q_1q_2)/r_2

DeltaU=U_2-U_1=k(q_1q_2)/r_2-k(q_1q_2)/r_1

=k(q_1q_2)(1/r_1-1/r_2)

=9*10^9*((-6)*(9))(1/sqrt29-1/sqrt(5))

=127.1*10^9J