- #1
warnexus
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Homework Statement
Homework Equations
work = kqqq/(distance)
The Attempt at a Solution
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d86/warnexus/electrodiag.jpg
Find an expression for the electrostatic energy of this charge distribution.
- Thread starter warnexus
- Start date
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Homework Help Overview
The discussion revolves around finding an expression for the electrostatic energy of a charge distribution involving charges of different magnitudes, specifically 'q' and 'q/2', and their respective distances in a geometric configuration.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking
Approaches and Questions Raised
- Participants discuss the distances used for calculating electrostatic energy, particularly questioning the diagonal length in a square configuration. There are attempts to substitute the charge values into the energy expression and simplify the resulting equation.
Discussion Status
Some participants have provided guidance on simplifying the expression and checking the distances used. There is ongoing exploration of the correct substitutions and simplifications, with no explicit consensus reached on the final expression.
Contextual Notes
Participants are addressing potential misunderstandings regarding the values of the charges and the geometric relationships in the problem setup, particularly the diagonal length in relation to the side length 'a'.
work = kqqq/(distance)
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d86/warnexus/electrodiag.jpg
- #2
gneill
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Check the distance you've used for the diagonals. Substitute 'q' and 'q/2' for the appropriate charges and simplify.
- #3
warnexus
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the distance I used for the diagonals is sqrt of a. I do not understand I do not have q/2.
- #4
gneill
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warnexus said:
Is the length of a diagonal of a square of side length a equal to √a ?
You have two sizes of charge: One is 'q', the other is 'q/2'. Make the appropriate symbolic substitutions.
- #5
warnexus
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gneill said:
oops the diagonal is suppose to be sqrt 2a^2.
heres the substitutions:
k(qq/a + qq/sqrt(2a^2) + qq/a -1/2qq/a -1/2qq/a -1/2qq/sqrt(2a^2))
Last edited:
- #6
gneill
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Okay, but you can simplify further. For example, you can pull out the q2 from each term.
- #7
warnexus
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gneill said:
heres the simplification
kqq(1/a + 1/sqrt(2a^2) + 1/a - (1/a) - (1/2)/sqrt (2a^2)
- #8
gneill
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You can collect the terms, putting them over a common denominator...
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