Four identical charges 32SolutionLet the charge separation f

Four identical charges (+3.2

Let the charge separation for adjacent charges be a = 0.53 m
The Coulomb constant is k, and each charge is Q = (3.2)*10^-6 C

First charge: work = 0
Second charge: work = kQ/a
Third charge: work = kQ/a + kQ/(2a)
Fourth charge: work = kQ/a + kQ/(2a) + kQ/(3a)

Add them for the total potential energy

PE = (13/3) kQ/a

where k = 8.98