Two point charges, +3.30 µC and -5.50 µC, are separated by 1.29 m. What is the electric potential midway between them?
To find the electric potential midway between two point charges, we can use the formula for electric potential due to a point charge.
The formula for electric potential due to a point charge is given by:
V = k * q / r
where:
V is the electric potential
k is the electrostatic constant (9.0 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2)
q is the charge
r is the distance from the charge
In this case, we have two charges (+3.30 µC and -5.50 µC) separated by a distance of 1.29 m. We want to find the electric potential midway between them.
Let's calculate the electric potential due to each charge separately and then find the sum of these potentials at the midpoint.
First, let's calculate the electric potential due to the +3.30 µC charge:
V1 = (9.0 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2) * (3.30 x 10^-6 C) / (0.645 m)
V1 ≈ 4.87 x 10^6 V
Next, let's calculate the electric potential due to the -5.50 µC charge:
V2 = (9.0 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2) * (-5.50 x 10^-6 C) / (0.645 m)
V2 ≈ -8.12 x 10^6 V
Finally, let's find the sum of these potentials at the midpoint:
V_total = V1 + V2
V_total ≈ 4.87 x 10^6 V + (-8.12 x 10^6 V)
V_total ≈ -3.25 x 10^6 V
Therefore, the electric potential midway between the two point charges is approximately -3.25 x 10^6 V.