How does the conservation of electrostatic energy work?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the velocity of a proton released between two charges, +2.5 micro coulombs and +3.5 micro coulombs, using the conservation of electrostatic energy. The initial approach involved equating potential energy and kinetic energy, but the calculations for work done against the electric fields were incorrect. The correct method requires adjusting the denominator in the integral for the second charge to (r-3)^2 and multiplying both integrals by the proton's charge. The final correct velocity of the proton is determined to be approximately 1.1E6 m/s. This highlights the importance of accurately setting up the equations in electrostatic problems.
Coderhk
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A charge of +2.5 micro coulomb is at the origin and a +3.5 micro coulomb is at the point (3,0). What is the velocity of a proton when it is at (6,0) if it was released at (5,0).
My solution:
$$E_0=E_f$$
$$PE=KE$$
$$Since...Work = -PE$$
I can calculate the work it takes to move the proton from (6,0) to (5,0) multiply that by negative one and set that equal to the kinetic energy.
To calculate the net work and I can calculate the work required to move the proton against each charge and add them together.
$$W=\sum\int{dw}=(\int_6^5{\frac{kq_1}{r^2}dr})+\int_6^5{\frac{kq_2}{r^2}dr}=-k(\frac{q_1+q_2}{30})$$
$$k(\frac{q_1+q_2}{30})=\frac{1}{2}mv^2$$
$$v=\sqrt{k(\frac{q_1+q_2}{15m})}$$
$$v=1.46E15$$
However my answer seems to be incorrect.How should I approach this question instead?
Correct answer is 1.1E6
 
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If q2 is the charge standing at (3,0) then the denominator in the second integral is wrong, should be ##(r-3)^2##. Also you should multiply both integrals by the charge of the proton.
 
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