Three equal point charges, each with charge 2.00 μC , are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle whose sides are of length 0.250 m . What is the electric potential energy U of the system? (Take as zero the potential energy of the three charges when they are infinitely far apart.) U = nothing J

Explanation:

Energy of system of charges

= k q₁q₂ / r₁₂ + k q₁q₃ / r₁₃ + k q₃q₂ / r₃₂

q₁ , q₂ and q₃ are charges and  r₁₂ , r₁₃ , r₃₂ are densities between them

9 x 10⁹ ( 2x2 x10⁻¹²/ .25 + 2x2 x10⁻¹²/ .25 + 2x2 x10⁻¹²/ .25 )

= 9 x 10⁹  x 3 x 16 x 10⁻¹²

= 432 x 10⁻³

= .432 J .

it takes about 30 days for it to break down

thermal energy is the answer