Calculating Work on a Charged Particle in an Electric Field

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To calculate the work done on a -2.0*10^-3 C charge moving from 0.2 m to 0.9 m away from a -6.0*10^-3 C charge, the force between the charges is calculated using Coulomb's law. Initial calculations yield forces of 2,700,000 N at 0.2 m and 220,408.16 N at 0.9 m. The work done is computed as W = F * d for both distances, resulting in a total of 694,285.71 J, which is incorrect. The correct approach involves calculating the potential difference between the two distances and applying the equation W = qV. The expected answer is -4.2*10^5 J, indicating a need to reassess the method used for calculating work.
Dillion
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Homework Statement


A -2.0*10^-3 C charge is 0.2 m away from a -6.0*10^-3 C charge. How much work is must be done on the first charge to move it to a distance of 0.9m?

Homework Equations


F = qs*qt*k/r^2

W = F * d* cos theta

The Attempt at a Solution


(-2.0*10^-3)(-6.0*10^-3)(9*10^9)/0.2^2
=2700000 N
(-2.0*10^-3)(-6.0*10^-3)(9*10^9)/0.7^2
=220408.1633 N

W = 2700000N * .2 = 540000
W = 220408.1633 * .7 = 154285.7143

The sum of those is 694285.7143This is obviously not right because the answer is supposed to be -4.2*10^5
 
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I think It is easy to use potential method, first calculate the potential difference 0.2m to 0.9m due to the second charge,
the use the eqn, W=qV
 
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