Electrical Potential Energy of a System

Yes, for N=2, the energy of configuration 1 is given by E_1 = (e^2)/(4(pi)(epsilon_0)(R)).In summary, the problem presents two configurations of N electrons on a narrow ring of radius R. Configuration 1 has all N electrons uniformly distributed on the ring, while configuration 2 has N-1 electrons uniformly distributed on the ring and one electron in the center. The question asks for the smallest value of N where configuration 2 is less energetic than configuration 1. The attempt at a solution involves finding the energy equations for each configuration and deducing that the number of electrons in one configuration must be odd and the other even. However, finding a relevant
  • #1
withoutwax
4
0
1. Homework Statement
Suppose N electron can be placed in either of two configurations. In configuration 1, they are all placed on the circumference of a narrow ring of radius R and uniformly distributed so that the difference between adjacent electron is the same everywhere. In configuration 2, N-1 electrons are uniformly distributed on the ring and one electron is placed in the center of the ring. What is the smallest value of N for which the second configuration is less energetic than the first?


2. The attempt at a solution

[tex]\sum[/tex]U of configuration 1 > [tex]\sum[/tex]U of configuration 2

*deduced that number of electron in one of the system must be odd, and another is even.

So, by drawing some circles with different number of electrons to understand the pattern of the summation.

But then i failed to get any relevant equations.

I think there must be some much easier way to solve it.
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF!

withoutwax said:
Suppose N electron can be placed in either of two configurations.

In configuration 1, they are all placed on the circumference of a narrow ring of radius R and uniformly distributed so that the difference between adjacent electron is the same everywhere.

In configuration 2, N-1 electrons are uniformly distributed on the ring and one electron is placed in the center of the ring. What is the smallest value of N for which the second configuration is less energetic than the first?

Hi withoutwax ! Welcome to PF! :smile:

How far have you got?

Can you do an equation for the energy of configuration 1? :smile:
 
  • #3
That's the problem I'm facing now..it require sum high maths solution...
 
  • #4
withoutwax said:
That's the problem I'm facing now..it require sum high maths solution...

Well, can you do configuration 1 for N = 2? :smile:
 

FAQ: Electrical Potential Energy of a System

What is electrical potential energy?

Electrical potential energy is the energy that a system composed of charged particles possesses due to their arrangement and positions relative to each other.

What factors affect the magnitude of electrical potential energy?

The magnitude of electrical potential energy is affected by the amount of charge present in the system, the distance between the charged particles, and the medium in which the charges are located.

How is electrical potential energy related to electric potential?

Electric potential is the amount of electrical potential energy per unit charge at a given point in a system. They are directly proportional, meaning an increase in electrical potential energy will result in a corresponding increase in electric potential.

What is the unit of measurement for electrical potential energy?

The unit of measurement for electrical potential energy is joules (J).

How is electrical potential energy calculated?

The formula for calculating electrical potential energy is U = k(q1q2)/r, where U is the electrical potential energy, k is the Coulomb's constant, q1 and q2 are the charges of the particles, and r is the distance between them.

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