A distribution of three point charges is shown in the figure. a. What is the electric potential at the point A? b. If a proton is placed at point A, what is the electric potential energy of the proton? 2.0 nC 3.0 cm 4.0 cm 2.0 nC 2.0 nC A

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### Electric Potential and Potential Energy in a System of Charges

**Problem Statement:**

A distribution of three-point charges is shown in the figure.

a. What is the electric potential at the point A?

b. If a proton is placed at point A, what is the electric potential energy of the proton?

**Diagram Explanation:**

- The diagram shows three point charges arranged in a rectangle.
- The top left corner has a charge of +2.0 nC (nanocoulombs).
- The top right corner has a charge of +2.0 nC.
- The bottom left corner has a charge of +2.0 nC.
- Point A is located 4.0 cm below the top right charge and 3.0 cm to the right of the bottom left charge.

The distances between these charges are explicitly marked in the diagram:
- The horizontal distance between the two charges at the top is 3.0 cm.
- The vertical distance between the charges is 4.0 cm.

For simplicity, the point A, where we need to calculate the electric potential, is located at the bottom right corner of the rectangle formed by these charges.

**Tasks:**

1. **Calculation of Electric Potential at Point A:**
   - The electric potential \( V \) at a point due to a charge \( q \) is given by the formula:
     \[
     V = \frac{k \cdot q}{r}
     \]
     where \( k \) is Coulomb's constant (\( k \approx 8.99 \times 10^9 \, \text{N m}^2/\text{C}^2 \)), \( q \) is the charge, and \( r \) is the distance from the charge to the point of interest.

2. **Calculation of Electric Potential Energy of a Proton at Point A:**
   - The electric potential energy \( U \) of a charge \( q_1 \) in electric potential \( V \) is given by:
     \[
     U = q_1 \cdot V
     \]
     where \( q_1 \) is the charge of the proton (\( q_1 = +1.6 \times 10^{-19} \, \text{C} \)).

By using these principles, we can systematically calculate the electric potential at point A and the corresponding electric potential energy if a proton is placed at that
Transcribed Image Text:### Electric Potential and Potential Energy in a System of Charges **Problem Statement:** A distribution of three-point charges is shown in the figure. a. What is the electric potential at the point A? b. If a proton is placed at point A, what is the electric potential energy of the proton? **Diagram Explanation:** - The diagram shows three point charges arranged in a rectangle. - The top left corner has a charge of +2.0 nC (nanocoulombs). - The top right corner has a charge of +2.0 nC. - The bottom left corner has a charge of +2.0 nC. - Point A is located 4.0 cm below the top right charge and 3.0 cm to the right of the bottom left charge. The distances between these charges are explicitly marked in the diagram: - The horizontal distance between the two charges at the top is 3.0 cm. - The vertical distance between the charges is 4.0 cm. For simplicity, the point A, where we need to calculate the electric potential, is located at the bottom right corner of the rectangle formed by these charges. **Tasks:** 1. **Calculation of Electric Potential at Point A:** - The electric potential \( V \) at a point due to a charge \( q \) is given by the formula: \[ V = \frac{k \cdot q}{r} \] where \( k \) is Coulomb's constant (\( k \approx 8.99 \times 10^9 \, \text{N m}^2/\text{C}^2 \)), \( q \) is the charge, and \( r \) is the distance from the charge to the point of interest. 2. **Calculation of Electric Potential Energy of a Proton at Point A:** - The electric potential energy \( U \) of a charge \( q_1 \) in electric potential \( V \) is given by: \[ U = q_1 \cdot V \] where \( q_1 \) is the charge of the proton (\( q_1 = +1.6 \times 10^{-19} \, \text{C} \)). By using these principles, we can systematically calculate the electric potential at point A and the corresponding electric potential energy if a proton is placed at that
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