Calculating Work on a Charged Particle in an Electric Field

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the work done on a -2.0*10^-3 C charge moving from 0.2 m to 0.9 m away from a -6.0*10^-3 C charge, the force between the charges is calculated using Coulomb's law. Initial calculations yield forces of 2,700,000 N at 0.2 m and 220,408.16 N at 0.9 m. The work done is computed as W = F * d for both distances, resulting in a total of 694,285.71 J, which is incorrect. The correct approach involves calculating the potential difference between the two distances and applying the equation W = qV. The expected answer is -4.2*10^5 J, indicating a need to reassess the method used for calculating work.
Dillion
Messages
39
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A -2.0*10^-3 C charge is 0.2 m away from a -6.0*10^-3 C charge. How much work is must be done on the first charge to move it to a distance of 0.9m?

Homework Equations


F = qs*qt*k/r^2

W = F * d* cos theta

The Attempt at a Solution


(-2.0*10^-3)(-6.0*10^-3)(9*10^9)/0.2^2
=2700000 N
(-2.0*10^-3)(-6.0*10^-3)(9*10^9)/0.7^2
=220408.1633 N

W = 2700000N * .2 = 540000
W = 220408.1633 * .7 = 154285.7143

The sum of those is 694285.7143This is obviously not right because the answer is supposed to be -4.2*10^5
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think It is easy to use potential method, first calculate the potential difference 0.2m to 0.9m due to the second charge,
the use the eqn, W=qV
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top