What is the work required to arrange charged objects in a right triangle?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the work required to arrange charged objects at the corners of a right triangle. The problem involves specific charge values and distances, with the initial condition that the charges are very far apart.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the method of bringing charges in from infinity and question the completeness of the given dimensions for the triangle. There is also a suggestion to use integration to find the work done, along with considerations of electric fields and superposition.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing different approaches and questioning the setup. Some guidance on using integration and electric fields has been offered, but no consensus has been reached on a specific method or solution.

Contextual Notes

There are constraints regarding the clarity of the triangle's dimensions and the initial conditions of the charges. The specific values of the charges and their arrangement are also noted, which may influence the calculations.

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Homework Statement



How much work does it take for an external force to set up the arrangement of charged objects in the diagram on the corners of a right triangle? Assume that q = -5.2 µC, that d = 19 cm, and that the three objects are initially very far away from each other.

Homework Equations



W=Fed =qEd


The Attempt at a Solution


I have no clue how to start. I figured out the potential to be -1.15, I just need a nudge in the right direction
 
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Bring the charges in from infinity, one at a time?

'd' does not completely specify a right triangle.
 


one of the sides is 12 cm (y axis). The other side (d) is 19 cm (x axis). The hypotenuse is 22.5. I couldn't load the pic onto this website
 


also charge 1 is 5.5e-6C charge 2 is -5.2e-6C and charge 3 is 2.5e-6 C
 


Find the work by integration

W =\int{eE(r)dr}

To start, put one charge at its vertex, find E(r) for the charge. Bring another charge to it's vertex, integrating the work.

For the last charge, the work done is the superposition due to the other two charges.
 

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