A point charge with charge q1 is held stationary at the origin. A second point charge with charge q2 moves from the point (x1, 0

Question

3 months ago

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A point charge with charge q1 is held stationary at the origin. A second point charge with charge q2 moves from the point (x1, 0

) to the point (x2, y2). Please use k for Coulomb's constant rather than writing it out as (1/4πϵ0).
How much work W is done by the electrostatic force on the moving point charge?

Physics

1 answer:

kicyunya [3.2K] · Answer 1 · 2026-03-15T21:22:48+03:00

Answer:

$W=kq_1q_2(\dfrac{1}{x_1}-\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x_2^2+y_2^2}})$

Explanation:

The position of the charge q₁ is established at (0,0)

Meanwhile, the charge q₂ is located at (x₁,0)

Thus, the electric potential energy between these two charges is determined by:

$U_1=k\dfrac{q_1q_2}{x_1}$

Now, the location of charge q₂ shifts from (x₁,0) to (x₂,y₂). The updated electric potential energy between the charges can be represented as:

$U_2=k\dfrac{q_1q_2}{\sqrt{x_2^2+y_2^2}}$

According to the work-energy theorem, the alteration in potential energy corresponds to the work performed. This is expressed mathematically as:

$W=-\Delta U$

$W=-(U_2-U_1)$

$W=(U_1-U_2)$

$W=(k\dfrac{q_1q_2}{x_1}-k\dfrac{q_1q_2}{\sqrt{x_2^2+y_2^2}})$

$W=kq_1q_2(\dfrac{1}{x_1}-\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x_2^2+y_2^2}})$

Consequently, the work done by the electrostatic force on the moving charge is $kq_1q_2(\dfrac{1}{x_1}-\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x_2^2+y_2^2}})$ . Therefore, this concludes the solution.