Electricity and potential energy

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The electric potential at a point midway between two charges of 5.21 nC and -2.24 nC, separated by 29.6 cm, is calculated to be 180.36 V. For the potential energy of the pair of charges, the formula used is k*q1*q2/d, where k is the Coulomb's constant (8.98755 x 10^9 N*m^2/C^2) and d is the distance between the charges. It is clarified that d should not be squared in this calculation. The potential energy will be expressed in units of N*m. This discussion focuses on the calculations related to electric potential and potential energy in a system of point charges.
wadini
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Two point charges of magnitude 5.21 nC and -2.24 nC are separated by 29.6 cm. The columb content is 8.98755*10 ^9 N*m^2/C^2. What is the electric potential at a point midway between the charges? Answer in untis of V

I got the answer for this part= 180.36 V

The second part of the question asks what is the potential energy of the pair of charges? Answer in units of N*m. That is where I am confused
 
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Potential energy of the system = k*q1*q2/d
 
Last edited:
I don't think you square d. I think it is just d. It doesn't make sense if I want to get it in units of N*m
 
Yes. You are right.
 

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