Potential Energy of system

[kokocipher]

High-yield problems without answer again ;[
"Three positive charges, +1e, +2e, +3e, are sitting in a row with 5mm between them. What is the Potential Energy of the system?"

Is the Potential Energy simply the sum of the potential between all the charges?


U12=q1k(q2/r12)

U13=q1k(q3/r13)

U23=q2(q3/r23)

Utotal= U12+U13+U23

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[PhilIvey]

High-yield problems without answer again ;[
"Three positive charges, +1e, +2e, +3e, are sitting in a row with 5mm between them. What is the Potential Energy of the system?"

Is the Potential Energy simply the sum of the potential between all the charges?


U12=q1k(q2/r12)

U13=q1k(q3/r13)

U23=q2(q3/r23)

Utotal= U12+U13+U23

Yes. PE is the easiest when it comes to electrostatics since it's a scalar and you just add.