- #1
flyingpig
- 2,579
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Homework Statement
[PLAIN]http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/1877/35055686.png
The Attempt at a Solution
I am guessing for part (a) I need to find the work it takes to assemble all of those charges together.
I should also set one of the charges as a "reference" from where I meaning my energy from, but since this is a square, I guess it doesn't matter.
[PLAIN]http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/7997/91742091.png
[tex]\sum U = k\left(\frac{q_1 q_2}{L} + \frac{q_1 q_3}{\sqrt{2}L} + \frac{q_1 q_4}{L} + \frac{q_2 q_3}{L} + \frac{q_2 q_4}{\sqrt{2} L} + \frac{q_4 q_3}{L}\right )[/tex]
[tex]\sum U = kq^2\left(\frac{4}{L} + \frac{\sqrt{2}}{L}\right )[/tex]
[tex]\sum U = kq^2\left(\frac{4 + \sqrt{2}}{L} \right )[/tex]
Now for part (b) I am a bit hesitant, should I use the potential energy of the system to find the speed or the individual potential energy with reference to charge Q1?
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