2. Three charges are situated on the vertices of an equilateral triangle as shown below. If a = 1m, calculate the potential at point P. 91 = +5 nC 92 = +5 nC 93 = +5 nC a

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Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
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Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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The problem involves calculating the potential at a point due to three charges placed on the vertices of an equilateral triangle. The setup is described as follows:

1. **Charges and Triangle Setup**:
   - Three charges are present: \( q_1 = +5 \, \text{nC} \), \( q_2 = +5 \, \text{nC} \), and \( q_3 = +5 \, \text{nC} \).
   - These charges are located at the vertices of an equilateral triangle.
   - The side length of the triangle is denoted as \( a \), where \( a = 1 \, \text{m} \).

2. **Point of Interest**:
   - The point \( P \) is on the base line of the triangle, equidistant from \( q_2 \) and \( q_3 \).
   - The distances from \( q_2 \) and \( q_3 \) to point \( P \) are \( \frac{a}{2} \).

3. **Diagram Explanation**:
   - The diagram represents an equilateral triangle with vertices labeled.
   - The top vertex of the triangle is associated with \( q_1 \).
   - The bottom left and right vertices are associated with \( q_2 \) and \( q_3 \) respectively.
   - The side lengths \( a \) are shown as lines connecting the vertices.
   - A point \( P \) is marked at the midpoint of the base, with distances \( \frac{a}{2} \) highlighted to charges \( q_2 \) and \( q_3 \).

The task is to calculate the electric potential at point \( P \) due to these charges.
Transcribed Image Text:The problem involves calculating the potential at a point due to three charges placed on the vertices of an equilateral triangle. The setup is described as follows: 1. **Charges and Triangle Setup**: - Three charges are present: \( q_1 = +5 \, \text{nC} \), \( q_2 = +5 \, \text{nC} \), and \( q_3 = +5 \, \text{nC} \). - These charges are located at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. - The side length of the triangle is denoted as \( a \), where \( a = 1 \, \text{m} \). 2. **Point of Interest**: - The point \( P \) is on the base line of the triangle, equidistant from \( q_2 \) and \( q_3 \). - The distances from \( q_2 \) and \( q_3 \) to point \( P \) are \( \frac{a}{2} \). 3. **Diagram Explanation**: - The diagram represents an equilateral triangle with vertices labeled. - The top vertex of the triangle is associated with \( q_1 \). - The bottom left and right vertices are associated with \( q_2 \) and \( q_3 \) respectively. - The side lengths \( a \) are shown as lines connecting the vertices. - A point \( P \) is marked at the midpoint of the base, with distances \( \frac{a}{2} \) highlighted to charges \( q_2 \) and \( q_3 \). The task is to calculate the electric potential at point \( P \) due to these charges.
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