Charges of -10.8 nC and -24.2 nC are separated by 0.813 m. What is the potential midway between the two charges?
To find the potential midway between the two charges, you first need to calculate the electric potential due to each charge at that point and then add them together.
The electric potential due to a point charge at a given distance can be calculated using the formula:
V = k * q / r
Where:
- V is the electric potential
- k is the electrostatic constant (9 × 10^9 N m²/C²)
- q is the charge
- r is the distance from the charge to the point where you want to find the potential
Let's calculate the electric potential due to the first charge (-10.8 nC):
V1 = (9 × 10^9 N m²/C²) * (-10.8 × 10^(-9) C) / 0.813 m
Similarly, let's calculate the electric potential due to the second charge (-24.2 nC):
V2 = (9 × 10^9 N m²/C²) * (-24.2 × 10^(-9) C) / 0.813 m
Next, we will find the potential midway between the two charges by taking their average:
V_midway = (V1 + V2) / 2
Now, let's calculate the potential midway between the two charges.