Question

Three particles, each having a charge of $10C$ are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side $10cm$. The electrostatic potential energy of the system is :

• A. $100J$
• B. $27\times {10}^{12}J$
• C. $0$
• D. $\infty$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$27\times {10}^{12}J$

The potential energy due to 3 charges is given by $\frac{1}{4\pi {ϵ}_{0}r}\times (q_1{q}_2+q_1{q}_3+q_2{q}_3)$

=$9\times {10}^9\times 300\times 10=27\times {10}^{12}$Joules