Answer to Question #312810 in Electricity and Magnetism for Yumburger

Question

Two point charges reacted with each other to produce 4.32 x 10⁻⁴ J. the magnitude of q

is 27 nC with a distance from the point charge of 19 cm. Find the magnitude of the point

charge

Answer 1

The potential energy of the system of charges is given by

$$E_p=k\frac{q_1q_2}{r}$$

Hence

$$q_2=\frac{E_pr}{kq_1}$$

$$q_2=\frac{4.32*10^{-4}*0.19}{9*10^9*27*10^{-9}}=3.4*10^{-7}\:\rm C$$