Answer:
The electric potential energy between the particles is 2.167 x 10⁻⁸ J
Explanation:
Given;
a charged particle, q₁ = 5.1 nC
another charged particle, q₂ = 2.6 nC
distance between the charged particle, r = 5.5 m
The electric potential energy between the charged particles is calculated as;
[tex]U_E = \frac{kq_1q_2}{r}[/tex]
where;
[tex]U_E[/tex] is the electric potential energy between the particles
k is coulomb's constant = 8.99 x 10⁹ Nm²/c²
Substitute the given values and solve for electric potential energy;
[tex]U_E = \frac{kq_1q_2}{r} = \frac{8.99*10^{9}*5.1*10^{-9}*2.6*10^{-9}}{5.5} \\\\U_E = 2.167 *10^{-8} \ J[/tex]
Therefore, the electric potential energy between the particles is 2.167 x 10⁻⁸ J
