Kinetic energy of positron and proton

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving two positrons and two protons positioned at the corners of a square. The key question is about calculating the kinetic energy of these particles after a long time, considering their mutual electrostatic interactions. The initial calculations for the kinetic energy of the positrons were based on the work-energy theorem, but the results did not match the expected answer. There is confusion regarding whether all particles are released from rest simultaneously, as the wording of the problem may imply they are fixed in place. Clarification on the initial conditions is necessary to accurately solve the problem.
Gummy_Bear
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1.e problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Two positrons and two protons are kept on the four corners of a square of side a. Positrons are kept at vertices A and C and protons are kept at B and D. let q denote the charge on both positron as well as the proton. So what is the kinetic energy of the positron and proton respectively after a long time ?

Homework Equations


I used the work energy theorem ie
Change in k.e. = wk. done
And work done = kq²/a

The Attempt at a Solution


First I calculated the kinetic energy of the positron due to all the 3 charges. I got the equation 2*kq²/a + kq²/root 2.
But the value that came after simplifying this equation did not match with the answer given in my book...
 
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Gummy_Bear said:
1.e problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Two positrons and two protons are kept on the four corners of a square of side a. Positrons are kept at vertices A and C and protons are kept at B and D. let q denote the charge on both positron as well as the proton. So what is the kinetic energy of the positron and proton respectively after a long time ?
Is this the complete statement of the problem? Are all four particles released from rest at the same time?
 
Yes this is the complete statement. I am also confused because i can't figure out how to solve it.
 
Gummy_Bear said:
Yes this is the complete statement.
Without knowing how many particles are released and whether or not they are released simultaneously, the question is ambiguous. The question states that the protons and positrons are "kept" on the corners of the square which could imply that none of the particles are able to move (which would make the problem fairly easy to solve :smile:).
 
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