Identical point charges (+50 x 10 power -6C) are placed at the corners of a square with sides of 2.0-m length. How much external energy is required to bring a fifth identical charge from infinity to the geometric center of the square?

636.4 J

Explanation:

The potential energy between one of the charges at the corner of the square and the fifth identical charge is U = kq²/r where q = charge = +50 × 10⁻⁶ C  and r = distance from center of square. = √2 m (since the midpoint of the sides = 1 m, so the distance from the charge at the corner to the center is thus √(1² + 1²) = √2)

Since we have four charges, the additional potential energy to move the charge to the centre of the square is U' = 4U = 4kq²/r

U' = 4kq²/r

= 4 × 9 × 10⁹ Nm²/C² (+50 × 10⁻⁶ C)²/√2 m

= 900 Nm²/√2 m

= 636.4 J

asthenosphere and convection