All questions
AP Physics C: E&M
9.1 Electric Potential Energy
IntermediateMCQMathematicalConceptual20.1k
Three configurations of four point charges located at the vertices of identical squares.
Three configurations of four point charges located at the vertices of identical squares.
Three different configurations, labeled 1, 2, and 3, consist of four point charges fixed at the four vertices of identical squares of side length \(s\), as shown.

Configuration 1: Four charges of \(+q\) at the vertices.
Configuration 2: Charges of \(+q\), \(-q\), \(+q\), and \(-q\) arranged in alternating order around the perimeter.
Configuration 3: Charges of \(+q\), \(+q\), \(-q\), and \(-q\) arranged consecutively around the perimeter.

Which of the following correctly ranks the total electrostatic potential energy \(U\) of the three systems from greatest to least?

Log In to Continue

Accounts are free! Log in to try this question, see explanations, save progress, and more!

Tools for a 5