Potential difference, electric potential energy and work

Then, the potential at infinity would be zero, and you can use the difference as the work done.In summary, the question is asking how much work it would take to move the charge q2 to infinity, and this can be calculated by finding the potential energy of the four charges and subtracting the potential energy of the three charges without q2. Alternatively, the potential energy can be calculated from the three non-moving charges and the difference can be used as the work done.
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r_swayze
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Four charges are arranged at the corners of a rectangle as shown in the diagram. How much work needs to be done to move the charge q2 to infinity?

Since change in PEe = W, am I suppose to find total potential electric energy of the four charges and then subtract the total potential electric energy of the three charges without q2? Would the difference in the two potential electric energies be the work it takes to move q2 to infinity?
 

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r_swayze said:
Four charges are arranged at the corners of a rectangle as shown in the diagram. How much work needs to be done to move the charge q2 to infinity?

Since change in PEe = W, am I suppose to find total potential electric energy of the four charges and then subtract the total potential electric energy of the three charges without q2? Would the difference in the two potential electric energies be the work it takes to move q2 to infinity?

That would work, but it's easier to calculate the potential from the 3 non-moving charges at the position where q2 is.
 

1. What is potential difference?

Potential difference, also known as voltage, is the difference in electric potential energy between two points in an electric field. It is measured in volts (V) and is the driving force behind the movement of electric charges.

2. How is electric potential energy related to potential difference?

Electric potential energy is the energy stored by a system of charges in an electric field. The amount of electric potential energy depends on the magnitude of the charges and their separation distance. The greater the potential difference, the more electric potential energy a system has.

3. What is the formula for calculating electric potential energy?

The formula for electric potential energy is U = qV, where U is the potential energy, q is the charge, and V is the potential difference. This formula can also be written as U = qEd, where E is the electric field strength and d is the distance between the charges.

4. How is work related to potential difference and electric potential energy?

Work is the transfer of energy from one system to another. In the case of potential difference and electric potential energy, work is done when a charge moves through an electric field, converting potential energy into kinetic energy. The amount of work done is equal to the change in potential energy.

5. How does the direction of the electric field affect potential difference?

The direction of the electric field determines the direction of the potential difference. If the electric field is from positive to negative, the potential difference will also be in that direction. However, if the electric field is from negative to positive, the potential difference will be in the opposite direction. The magnitude of the potential difference is the same regardless of the direction of the electric field.

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