Answer:
U =-2.39*10^-18 J
Explanation:
In order to calculate the electric potential energy of the electron you use the following formula:
[tex]U=k\frac{q_1q_2}{r}[/tex] (1)
k: Coulomb's constant = 8.98*10^9Nm^2/C^2
r: distance between charges
In this case the electron is at point midway between two charges, then the electric potential energy is the sum of two contributions:
[tex]U=U_1+U_2=k\frac{eq_1}{r}+k\frac{eq_2}{r}=\frac{ke}{r}[q_1+q_2][/tex]
e: charge of the electron = 1.6*10^-19C
q1: charge 1 = 3.00nC = 3.00*10^-9C
q2: charge 2 = 2.00nC = 3.00*10^-9C
r: distance to each charge = 60.0cm/2 = 30.0cm = 0.3m
If you consider that the electron is at the origin of coordinates, with the first charge in the negative x axis, and the other one in the positive x axis, you have:
[tex]U=\frac{(8.98*10^9Nm^2/C^2)(1.6*10^{-19}C)}{0.6m}[-3.0*10^{-9}C+2.0*10^{-9}C]\\\\U=-2.39*10^{-18}J[/tex]
The electric potential energy of the electron is -2.39*10^-18 J
