Two point charges Q1=-6.80nC and Q2 = -5.80nC are separated by 33.0cm. What is potential energy of the pair? Answer in units of Joules.

To find the potential energy of the pair of point charges, we can use the formula:

Potential Energy = (k * Q1 * Q2) / r

Where:
- k represents Coulomb's constant and has a value of approximately 8.99 x 10^9 N·m²/C²
- Q1 and Q2 are the magnitudes of the charges
- r is the distance between the charges

Let's plug in the given values:
- Q1 = -6.80nC = -6.80 x 10^-9 C
- Q2 = -5.80nC = -5.80 x 10^-9 C
- r = 33.0 cm = 33.0 x 10^-2 m

Now we can calculate the potential energy:

Potential Energy = (8.99 x 10^9 N·m²/C² * -6.80 x 10^-9 C * -5.80 x 10^-9 C) / (33.0 x 10^-2 m)

Simplifying the equation, we get:

Potential Energy = (8.99 x 10^9 N·m²/C² * 6.80 x 10^-9 C * 5.80 x 10^-9 C) / (33.0 x 10^-2 m)

Potential Energy = (8.99 x 6.80 x 5.80) / (33.0) x (10^9 x 10^-9 x 10^-9 x 10^2) J

Potential Energy = 313.046 x 10^-8 J

Rounding to a reasonable number of significant figures, the potential energy of the pair of charges is approximately 3.1 x 10^-6 J.

To find the potential energy of the pair of point charges, we can use the formula for the electrostatic potential energy:

U = k * (Q1 * Q2) / r

Where:
U is the potential energy,
k is the electrostatic constant (9.0 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2),
Q1 and Q2 are the magnitudes of the charges, and
r is the distance between the charges.

From the given information:
Q1 = -6.80nC = -6.80 x 10^-9 C
Q2 = -5.80nC = -5.80 x 10^-9 C
r = 33.0 cm = 33.0 x 10^-2 m

Plugging in the values, we have:

U = (9.0 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2) * ((-6.80 x 10^-9 C) * (-5.80 x 10^-9 C)) / (33.0 x 10^-2 m)

U = (9.0 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2) * (3.944 x 10^-17 C^2) / (33.0 x 10^-2 m)

Calculating the numerator of the expression:

(9.0 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2) * (3.944 x 10^-17 C^2) = 35.496 x 10^-8 N m

Substituting the denominator back into the expression:

U = (35.496 x 10^-8 N m) / (33.0 x 10^-2 m)

Simplifying:

U = 1.078 x 10^-6 N m

Finally, convert the result to joules by noting that 1 N m = 1 J:

U = 1.078 x 10^-6 J

Therefore, the potential energy of the pair of charges is approximately 1.078 x 10^-6 Joules.